Fighting LIRR's Third Track Plan

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray greets a morning commuter at Garden City's Merillon Avenue Station.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Ed Ambrosino are visiting train stations along the LIRR's mainline, gathering petition signatures in opposition to the MTA's plan to construct a third railroad track between Floral Park and Hicksville. The officials are collecting the petitions for presentation to the governor and MTA officials during the public comment period (Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2007) on the MTA's Third Track Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

"Commuters of area train stations, as well as the general population in communities affected by the third track are united in their opposition to this ill-conceived proposal," said Murray. "It's sad that the wishes of Long Islanders have not been considered by the governor and the MTA, especially since our area's homeowners and residents will be so profoundly and negatively impacted by the plan."

Murray and Ambrosino are particularly outraged by the MTA's and the Governor's refusal to heed the concerns of local residents. Despite overwhelming resistance from Long Island neighbors, the Governor has only intensified his efforts to implement the proposal, stating recently that he counts the third track as one of his chief priorities for Long Island. "Governor Spitzer is determined to see the completion of this project, but I am confident that our resolve is even stronger," said Murray. "The preservation of community standards is too important to allow the Governor and the MTA to ignore the voices of those who will be most affected by the proposal."

"Despite issues associated with a third track, including property seizure, water and air pollution, increased commotion, general disruption in affected communities, as well as the wholesale change in character of suburban communities, the Governor and MTA have yet to provide for adequate input from Long Islanders whose communities could be drastically transformed if the proposal were implemented," said Ambrosino.

The MTA has recently attempted to justify its efforts by claiming that the project is necessary to accommodate reverse commuters. Yet, there appears to be little necessity or demand for facilitating reverse commutes. Supervisor Murray recently visited Merrilon Avenue train station during morning rush hour and found that the eastbound LIRR trains were virtually empty.

"This latest rationale is entirely ridiculous. Eastbound LIRR trains are hardly used, yet the Governor and the MTA are asking us to disrupt our communities to make way for more? We simply cannot tolerate a project that puts our communities and way of life in peril, only to allow for more unnecessary and virtually uninhabited eastbound trains," said Murray.

Murray and Ambrosino observe that alternative avenues-including increased use of double-decker trains, newly engineered train schedules, increased train length, and "work hour shifting" proposals-have not been sufficiently explored. They insist that the MTA and Governor Spitzer evaluate these alternatives before adversely impacting the quality of life of local residents. "There are several alternatives that have yet to be adequately addressed with the public. We will continue to pressure the MTA to explore them further before it so carelessly tears through the heart of our communities and wastes our tax dollars," concluded Murray.

Echoing the frustrations of countless Long Islanders, Murray and Ambrosino expressed their outrage at the MTA's attempt to fundamentally change the character of Long Island without even seeking the consent of Long Island residents. "The MTA's failure to consult affected residents about such a far-reaching proposal is an insult to Long Islanders who care deeply about their communities. The future of Long Island belongs in the hands of Long Islanders. The MTA apparently believes the future of Long Island is its prerogative," stated Ambrosino.

Many Long Islanders fear the proposal would undermine the suburban appeal of Long Island, making it unrecognizable from the sprawling urban environments surrounding such major rail hubs as Jamaica Station. "Long Island's tranquil, surburban environment is precisely what makes it an attractive place to live. This proposal would virtually destroy the vision of Long Island as a refuge from the commotion and commuter congestion of urban environments. The question is simple: are we going to allow the MTA to remove the very essence of Long Island, or are we going to fight to preserve the integrity of our communities?" said Murray.

Murray and Ambrosino have also pointed out the decrepit condition of many LIRR stations, pressing the MTA to improve the infrastructure of area train stations. "How can we permit the MTA to undertake a project of this magnitude when it has shown itself to be incapable of maintaining its current facilities? I don't believe we can entrust to it any task of this nature, let alone an ill-conceived and potentially devastating one, especially in light of its lackluster maintenance of its existing facilities," said Murray.

"We will convey to the Governor and the MTA that we will fight tirelessly to ensure that Long Islanders determine their own future. Both the MTA and the Governor have demonstrated an unwillingness to listen to the concerns of affected residents," concluded Murray. "But, with a united and concerted effort, I am confident that they will be forced to listen," declared Murray.