State DOT refuses to sign off on $10 land sale that could modernize Long Island's busiest LIRR line

Yahoo

2 days ago

The state Department of Transportation seems ready to run out the clock on a $10 deal to help electrify Long Island's busiest LIRR line — which could cost Suffolk County over $2 million in federal funds if the agreement falls through, local officials charged Monday.Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called out the DOT for stonewalling an infrastructure project he said would clean up both the delay-ridden commute and the environment — all over a pending vacant land purchase between Suffolk and the Metropolitan Transportation Agency.
If DOT does not sign off on the land deal by June 30, roughly $2.1 million earmarked from the federal American Rescue Plan to help fund the project will be lost, according to Suffolk officials.
'This should have been done, this whole line should be electrical,' Romaine, a, Republican, told The Post from Port Jefferson. 'This is the best land deal the MTA will ever make — which isn't exactly known for its fiscal responsibility.'
Romaine said the agency is ready to move forward with the project, but did not specify how much the project would cost.
The vacant land, nearly 50 acres that was once part of the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site, is currently controlled by the Suffolk County Landbank.
Landbank officials offered to sell it to the MTA last year for just $10 so the agency can begin building infrastructure to electrify the unreliable diesel-fueled, double-decker trains that still run through the Port Jefferson line — a LIRR route that 30% of all riders live along.
It's also the busiest branch on Long Island, according to MTA data.
But the DOT balked at blessing the project, citing the need to complete an easement process as well as floating other potential options for the property, Suffolk officials charged.
Stephen Canzoneri, DOT spokesperson representing Long Island, confirmed the agency 'is in the process of delivering a free property easement' to 'facilitate MTA's property acquisition,' and said the process will take several months.
Even state Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, a Democrat, offered to personally pay the $10 fee to get the deal done — but said she was told the state still wouldn't allow the sale.
Romaine has even called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in. He argued DOT's stalling tactics go against Hochul's own green goals.
'Governor Hochul supports any effort to advance meaningful transportation investments in the region and will work with all stakeholders to resolve the complicated land use issues impacting this potential project,' Kara Cumoletti, a spokesperson for the governor, told The Post.
The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.