As MTA Board Considers Contract Award, LIRRCC Restates Support for Long Island Rail Road Expansion Project
The Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council (LIRRCC) supports the improvement of the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road, as outlined in the proposed design-build contract for the project currently under consideration by the MTA Board. The LIRRCC has supported LIRR Main Line Improvements, including the addition of a third track, for many years. The Council continues to believe that the expanded capacity, improved reliability, and opportunity for implementing bi-directional service at all times are critical to the future of the Long Island Rail Road and the economic health and quality of life of Long Island.
The LIRRCC is mindful of the cost of the project and believes that every opportunity should be taken to undertake these improvements in a manner that is as economical and cost effective as possible. Nevertheless, the need for this work has been present for many decades, and the construction of the East Side Access project only intensifies the necessity of providing additional rail capacity to serve Long Island Rail Road riders.
“Riders need these improvements to advance LIRR operations and to unlock the benefits of the East Side Access project” said LIRRCC Chair Mark Epstein. We are deeply concerned with costs and funding of the project and demand that all possible efforts be taken that the project’s finances are managed responsibly. In the end, however, the capacity that this project will add is crucial, and both LIRR riders and our State’s economy will be worse off if the Long Island Rail Road Expansion Project is not completed.”
The MTA Board is currently slated to vote on this contract on Wednesday, December 13. In view of the benefits to riders and the economy, the enhancement of safety through grade crossing elimination, and improvement of the quality of life in communities served by the Rail Road, the LIRRCC strongly urges the MTA Board to approve this design-build contract.
Download here: LIRRCC Supports Main Line Improvements
