Requires resolutions be passed prior to the metropolitan transportation authority's approval for improvements to the mainline railroad track for the purposes of building a third track

3 Co-sponsors

• Ruben Diaz
• George Onorato
• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act requiring resolutions be passed prior to the metropolitan transportation authority's approval for improvements to the mainline railroad track for the purposes of building a third track

Purpose of bill

To provide the localities which would be affected by the implementation of a third track on the Long Island Railroad line to have the opportunity to approve or disapprove such action.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 precludes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from approving any changes to the mainline railroad track, for the purposes of building a third track, until the following communities adopt a resolution approving such project:

* Bellerose Village * Floral Park * Garden City * New Hyde Park * Mineola * Westbury * Town of Hempstead * Town of North Hempstead * Town of Oyster Bay

Section 2 precludes the MTA from approving any improvements to the mainline railroad track, for the purposes of building a third track, unless 2/3rd of the above-mentioned communities adopt the aforementioned resolution.

Section 3 provides that this act shall take effect immediately.

Justification

The MTA/LIRR's proposed Third Track project has the potential to have devastating impacts on the local communities within the main line corridor. The residents of Bellerose Terrace (Town of Hempstead), Bellerose Village, Village of Floral Park, Village of New Hyde Park, Garden City Park (Town of North Hempstead), Village of Garden City, Village of Mineola, Carle Place (Town of North Hempstead), Village of Westbury, New Cassel (Town of North Hempstead) and Hicksville (Town of Oyster Bay) will be required to bear the brunt of this project and will be subject to an abatement in their quality of life due to declination of property values, increased noise pollution and increased traffic on the major north-south roadways which will not have grade crossings eliminated, among other factors.

The local municipalities will realize a loss of potential tax revenue resulting from the taking of properties via eminent domain as well as irreversible changes in the character of their neighborhoods.

Local municipalities, who will be so heavily impacted by a project of this magnitude, must be empowered to preserve and protect their residents and the future direction of the communities they are charged with governing.

Legislative history

2007-08: S.7037, Referred to Transportation; Motion to petition filed and lost.

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

Immediately.