New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a 150 million USD investment for the connection of the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Ronkonkoma Station to MacArthur Airport’s proposed North Terminal.
With the new connection, Hochul aims to better strengthen public transit connectivity throughout Long Island, enhancing passenger accessibility and experience as well as creating new jobs for all key areas of transport.
Governor Kathy Hochul makes an intermodal transportation announcement at MacArthur Airport
© Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
Funding for the project comes in addition to the Governor’s commitment of 40 million USD for the new terminal, which was first announced in 2022.
The project as a whole will include the construction of new pedestrian walkways linking both the airport and Ronkonkoma Station, the redesign of road networks and a slew of key infrastructure upgrades surrounding the sites.
Governor Hochul said:
Long Islanders deserve modern, efficient transit systems that make their daily lives easier and fuel local economic growth.
By improving transit access, redesigning road networks, and enhancing critical infrastructure, we are unlocking new opportunities for businesses, tourism, and economic development. This $150 million investment will also create good-paying union jobs while transforming how Long Islanders connect to one another, to New York and to the rest of the world.
Long Island Rail Road President, Rob Free, said:
The LIRR is the fastest, safest and most economical way to travel across Long Island and this project is a unique opportunity to help take more cars off the roads.
Moving MacArthur’s terminal closer to Ronkonkoma station will encourage people to take the train to the airport. The LIRR is already the best travel experience to JFK and we are ready to help MacArthur Airport grow by bringing that same great travel experience there too.