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.
Touring Double Track site where new machine was laying the final stretch of Phase 1 track: https://t.co/bnGX5RrWlD pic.twitter.com/1qsMIoaDUx
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 22, 2016
"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.
Photos of today's @LIRR Double Track tour and announcement: https://t.co/Fui1nRaIPJ pic.twitter.com/C7btLf9EX4
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 22, 2016
"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.
New Track Construction machine @LIRR Double Track lays track 10x faster than current 500 ft per day. @AModernLI pic.twitter.com/5x8vQwFUr1
— MTA. Wear a Mask. Stop the Spread. (@MTA) August 22, 2016
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.