NY Senate Republicans OK $1.9B in Funding for 3rd LIRR Track

Republicans in the GOP-controlled state Senate are backing a $1.9 billion plan to add a section of track to one branch of the Long Island Rail Road in Nassau County.

Newsday reports Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan of neighboring Suffolk County announced Tuesday that Republican senators have agreed to public funding for a nearly 10-mile third track corridor between Floral Park and Hicksville. Currently, one track runs eastward and one goes west.

The move comes after opponents in those communities agreed on quality-of-life issues with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the LIRR.

Supporters say it will allow more trains to run in both directions between New York City and Long Island. The announcement came a day after Amtrak started extensive infrastructure repairs at Penn Station.