Gov. Kathy Hochul touched down in the South Shore on Wednesday to introduce her administration’s bombshell investment—a milestone that will at last bring Ronkonkoma Station travelers quick-as-can-be access to nearby Long Island MacArthur Airport.
The Democratic state leader spoke with the full support of local Republican representatives like Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Islip Supervisor Angier Carpenter, and Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico at approximately midday on Weds, Feb. 12th.
By all accounts, this is an urgent issue of bipartisan interest, in which politicking and red tape must be checked at the door, and so it is.
Proposed for MacArthur’s North Terminal, the new Long Island Railroad (LIRR) connection initiative vows to bring forth an overwhelming uptick in accessibility, and overall transportation infrastructure within the surrounding region as a result.
From MacArthur’s hanger-side press conference pulpit, Hochul acknowledged up top and ahead of all else the virtue of airports, calling sky transit waystations the “doormat to the rest of the world.”
Hochul regurgitated reports that the LIRR had its best performance in 200 years. In “working for the people” per a transformative collaboration with an organization swimming in the black compared to the greater MTA’s well-publicized debt- woes, any political points scored are purely coincidental.
Given the reported $150 million investment sum, Hochul assured that, per this decision, New York State is not just investing in the airport and rail industries, but booming local commerce and maintaining the community relations that make this rocking area go round year-in and year-out.
“We're investing in our firehouses, our schools, creating more union jobs, apprenticeship programs and just making Long Island more affordable,” Hochul promised. “This [Long Island] is a place that matters. It is one of the most unique, diverse places in our entire state in terms of the natural beauty. You think about the amazing wetlands, the parks inland, I've hiked to many of them, to our beautiful shores and the beaches.”
Now, residents and visitors alike get to limit their hassle considerably when flying in and out.
“It's extraordinary,” Hochul doubled down. “It's extraordinary.”
First built in 1942, MacArthur Airport was commissioned as a military installation that has since exponentially grown in scope. USA Today recently ranked it the third-best small airport in the country, Hochul touts.
Thus, the Governor did not hesitate one iota to expand upon the initial $40 million—an investment that successfully erected MacArthur’s inaugural international terminal—she allocated to the airport upon first assuming office in 2022.
With no disrespect to the ride-share industry, Hochul is intent on diluting the reliance on Ubers, Lyfts and taxi cabs by letting the good people of Long Island greatly benefit from a pedestrian walkway that will bring them to MacArthur quicker than you can say: “The next stop is…”
“....RON-KONK-OMA.”
“Let's just make it easier on people,” Hochul said, before segueing into her team’s continued job creation solutions. Redesigning the roadwork networks, parking garages and utility systems in and around the Ronkonkoma Station-to-MacArthur metropolis, for starters, will unlock 48 acres—thereby requiring plenty of manpower.
She commended Carpenter for being a persuasive person who “doesn’t take no for an answer,” thanked the town supervisor for the many meetings held on the matter at hand, and her commitment to maintaining a “pro-housing community.”
Hochul also expressed gratitude to Kevin Law for giving small-town laborers tabbed for massive projects “the strong sense of place that they do matter” per his efforts as chairman of Empire State of Development, representatives from contributing organizations like the Suffolk County Village, the Long Island Federation, Nassau Building Trades, Sheet Metal Transportation Unity (SMART).
In closing, Hochul reminded all in attendance on Wednesday that her number-one priority—among several juggled in the wake of her grave Siena College pollings last week—is “building back the State” so she can continue to do it for four more years, if she convinces enough people to vote her in.
On Long Island, Hochul said her belief is as follows: “You have the elected leaders, the relationships with labor, the community partners that you have, and this incredible asset, this jewel of an airport, and the Long Island Rail Road that's been here for 200 years — you've got it all.”
To LIRR President Robert Free, Hochul fittingly quipped: “Well done, Robert. Let’s keep it rolling. Let’s keep it rolling.”