Suffolk deserves the trillions promised in infrastructure funding

Since taking office in January 2024, I’ve been proud to lead Suffolk County in the pursuit of a more connected, resilient and modern transportation system. But no matter how determined or strategic we are at the local level, our vision cannot become reality without the infrastructure funding that was promised — funding that continues to bypass Suffolk County.

Suffolk County is not receiving its fair share of state and federal aid. Our neighboring counties — Nassau and Westchester — routinely receive more robust support. Suffolk, the largest county on Long Island and home to over 1.5 million residents, is too often left waiting.

The money is supposed to be there. As Brookhaven Town supervisor, I supported President Joe Biden’s landmark federal infrastructure bill. I also joined many New Yorkers in voting for the New York State Environmental Bond Act. Both were sold to the public as transformational investments in our communities. But to date, Suffolk County residents have seen virtually none of the funding they were promised. That is not just disappointing — it’s indefensible.

We have the plans. We have the urgency. We have the shovel-ready projects. Suffolk County Transit is expanding. Ridership is up. Yet we continue to struggle without the state and federal support needed to modernize our fleet, reduce wait times, improve service, and make basic upgrades like safer lighting, clearer signage and countdown clocks.

We have a bold vision for the future: a Bus Rapid Transit system along Route 110 to serve the Long Island Innovation Hub; a new Republic Station in East Farmingdale; and electrification and platform expansions from Ronkonkoma to Greenport. We are prioritizing safety by eliminating dangerous grade crossings — starting with the one on Ronkonkoma's Ocean Avenue — and developing a comprehensive grade separation strategy to keep traffic and trains moving safely.

We are also advancing smart, sustainable freight strategies to reduce truck traffic by moving municipal solid waste by rail. Our highway and bridge network is ready for immediate infusions of funding, from the aging spans in Quogue, Blue Point, Smithtown, and Hampton Bays to capacity improvements on County Road 39 and paving along the LIE service roads. We can relieve chronic chokepoints like the William Floyd Parkway and Montauk Highway by extending Sunrise Highway’s service roads and constructing new access ramps. And we are committed to building out green, healthy transportation options through expanded trails and nonmotorized infrastructure.

Most urgently, we must protect our coastline. Replacing critical infrastructure like the Shinnecock Canal Locks and Tide Gates is not optional — it’s essential.

Suffolk County is ready. We are organized. We are building. But we can only go so far without strategic investment from our state and federal partners. These aren’t abstract ideas — they are real projects that will create jobs, ease congestion, reduce emissions, and improve quality of life for every county resident.

So, once again, I ask — where is the taxpayer’s money? Voters supported these measures. Congress passed the bills. The promises were made. Now it’s time for those promises to be kept.

Suffolk County deserves its fair share. Our residents deserve the infrastructure they were promised. And the time to deliver is now.

This guest essay reflects the views of Edward P. Romaine, the Suffolk County executive.