Miles SmithNew York has announced plans to commit $150 million to connecting a railway to the Long Island MacArthur Airport, a move the state said would improve accessibility and enhance the region’s transportation infrastructure.
The move involves purchasing 48 acres of land and connecting the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Ronkonkoma Station with a proposed north terminal at MacArthur Airport via a pedestrian walkway linking the airport and rail station.
In 2022, the state committed $40 million to building the proposed terminal. Ground has not yet been broken on the project.
“Long Islanders deserve modern, efficient transit systems that make their daily lives easier and fuel local economic growth,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “By improving transit access, redesigning road networks, and enhancing critical infrastructure, we are unlocking new opportunities for businesses, tourism, and economic development.
“This $150 million investment will also create good-paying union jobs while transforming how Long Islanders connect to one another, to New York and to the rest of the world.”
The scope of the project will include redesigned road networks and upgrades to wastewater and other infrastructure.
Goals for the project include improving passenger experience, reducing travel times and positioning MacArthur Airport as a key transportation hub for Long Island, the state said.
“The LIRR is the fastest, safest and most economical way to travel across Long Island and this project is a unique opportunity to help take more cars off the roads,” LIRR President Rob Free said. “Moving MacArthur’s terminal closer to Ronkonkoma station will encourage people to take the train to the airport. The LIRR is already the best travel experience to JFK and we are ready to help MacArthur Airport grow by bringing that same great travel experience there too.”
The Town of Islip owns and operates the airport, which was built in 1942 and first operated as a military airfield.
Photo courtesy D. Benjamin Miller, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
