Cuomo: LIRR Double Rail Project Is Well On The Way
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo took time out personally Monday to review progress being made on the Long Island Rail Road double track project.
As WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported, Cuomo also took the time to update the media and perhaps, brag a bit about the state's infrastructure and transportation effort.
Ongoing progress on the LIRR double track program from Ronkonkoma to Farmingdale, according to Cuomo, is only a small part of the largest capital improvement program for New York state in 50 years.
"New York should have the best – not out of ego, but out of economic competitiveness," Cuomo said.
Cuomo said the project is on schedule, on budget, and on the move.
"It's going to restore New York's transportation system and take to a level that it has never been before," Cuomo said.
The $388 million double track project will add an 18-mile line of track to the busy Ronkonkoma branch.
Currently, there is only one track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, which means if a train becomes disabled or something goes wrong on the tracks, there is no alternative route. All other trains both east and west have no way around the problem, causing major delays.
