(Newsday posted the following article by Joie Tyrrell on its website on May 26.)
NEW YORK — A third track on the Long Island Rail Road’s main line would boost service and provide greater reverse-commuting options, a new coalition of business, environmental and transit advocates said Wednesday.
In a news conference at the Mineola train station, The Coalition for the LIRR Third Track announced its formation to push the project through. The project seeks to construct another track on the main line from Bellerose to Hicksville, improve roadway crossings and make other infrastructural improvements to the corridor.
“Long Island will only keep itself moving amid population and economic growth if it develops a more robust transit system,” said Jon Orcutt, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, who along with the Long Island Progressive Coalition, the LIRR Commuter’s Council and the Long Island Association announced support of the project.
LIRR spokesman Brian Dolan said the railroad is about to hire an engineering consultant to start an environmental review of the project. Although total exact costs have not been determined, it is likely to be, in the multimillions. The LIRR plans to submit the project for consideration to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to be included in the 2005-2009 capital program.
Jon Schneider, spokesman for Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), said authorization for $210 million for the rail portion of the project has been included in a House transportation bill.
“The congressman realizes this is an improtant project for all of Long Island,” he said.
The $275-billion bill, however, is being held up by President George W. Bush, who said he would veto any bill in excess of $256 billion.
“We remain hopeful that this deadlock is going to get broken,” Schneider said.
In addition to adding the track and more service on the Main, Oyster Bay and Port Jefferson branches, the project also would mean the elimination of five grade crossings in Mineola, New Hyde Park and Westbury and substantial station rehabilitation.
Mitchell Pally, vice president of government affairs for the Long Island Association, the region’s largest business group, said the project is one of the most important to Long Island. It would greatly expand reverse-commuting options for travelers who head east in the morning and west in the evening, he said. Currently, both tracks are occupied by westbound trains for 90 minutes of the morning rush. An additional track would provide eastbound service at that time and others.
The group also said a third track would provide for more freight train use of the LIRR network, reducing shipping costs and truck congestion.