Schumer says LIRR in line for $1.5B in new federal infrastructure funding

Making more train stations accessible and easing commuters’ trips through Jamaica Station will be two key priorities for the more than $1.5 billion in new federal infrastructure funding on the way to the Long Island Rail Road, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference at the Massapequa Park LIRR station — one of three stations in line for accessibility improvements — Schumer said $2.6 billion of the $1 trillion infrastructure spending bill passed by Congress last week has been earmarked for the MTA’s two commuter railroads, the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North. Although exact amounts have not been calculated, the New York Democrat and Senate majority leader said he expects at least $1.5 billion to go to the LIRR.

Among the LIRR projects that stand to benefit from the funding, Schumer said, is the railroad’s Jamaica Capacity Improvements initiative, which aims to modernize the 108-year-old junction in Southeast Queens by untangling and upgrading its switch and signal system.

Money also will go toward adding elevators at Massapequa Park, St. Albans and Locust Manor, Schumer said.

"These direct funds for the Long Island Rail Road will keep workers working, keep riders riding, keep the 24/7 service in place, [and] will stop the cuts that were entertained during COVID," Schumer said. "All in all, it will keep Long Island moving."

MTA acting chairman and chief operating officer Janno Lieber, speaking at a news conference, said the funding is "about as good as it gets, in terms of lining up with MTA priorities," including improving accessibility and reducing harmful emissions. He noted another $24 billion pool of competitive grant funding could go toward projects such as modernizing Penn Station.

Lisa Daglian, executive director of the MTA’s Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee, which includes the LIRR Commuter Council, said the funding also could "ease the MTA’s cash crunch" by reducing the need for the agency to borrow in order to fund high-price-tag infrastructure projects.

"And that’s good news, since those dollars can go for keeping service and fares where they are," Daglian said.

Long Island also will benefit from $11.5 billion coming to the state for building and repairing highways, and $1.9 billion for bridges. Among the projects to be funded with those dollars, Schumer said, are repaving portions of the Long Island Expressway and the Meadowbrook Parkway and the repair of three bridges along the Hecksher State Parkway.

Area airports also will get funding, including $21.6 million for Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma and $3.7 million for Republic Airport in East Farmingdale.

Schumer didn't rule out the possibility that some of the new infrastructure dollars could go toward advancing the North Atlantic Rail initiative, which would construct a high-speed rail system stretching across Nassau and Suffolk counties, and under the Long Island Sound via a new tunnel.

The $105 billion proposal has garnered support from several Long Island elected officials, including Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who is co-chair of the project's steering committee.

Schumer said he will be "trying to help" secure funding for the effort from a $10 billion fund earmarked for high-speed rail projects.

"I'm interested in it. I'm supportive of it," Schumer said of the proposal, which would run bullet trains between Long Island and Boston at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. "It's out there. It's very ambitious. But, you've got to have vision."

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.