Submitted by Patrick M. Centolanzi, PE, May 24, 2007 12:45

There are two, very simple, but very important ways to make the MTA/Long Island Rail Road connection to Lower Manhattan more attractive to all and less expensive. Right now, most Long Island Commuters and many elected officials and transit advocates are against the project because it is too expensive, too complex, and does not properly serve Long Island and Eastern Queens Commuters.

First, there must be a one-seat ride to Lower Manhattan for the estimated 110,000 daily commuters from Long Island and Eastern Queens. Some say the current plan may even eliminate existing commuter rail service to Flatbush Avenue Terminal, where thousands of commuters each hour transfer to subways to Lower Manhattan.

Secondly, there must be no extension of the current AirTrain technology onto the Atlantic Avenue Commuter Rail Corridor or toward Lower Manhattan. It would be exceedingly costly to make this extension, and this will have deleterious affects on the current commuter rail service. Projected ridership on the airport service is less than 30,000 passengers per day, and thus the expense of the airport service is not justified.

The LIRR and AirTrain use different technologies for propulsion and signal control. Also, the floor heights of the vehicles are different. Extending the AirTrain along Atlantic Avenue would actually be almost as costly as building a whole, new rail line along Atlantic Avenue.

The LIRR is heavy rail, and is regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration. The AirTrain is light rail, and is regulated by the Federal Transit Administration. These two types of rail systems have different safety standards. It is unlikely that the US Department of Transportation will change any rules, since it would be unsafe to allow light rail vehicles on track used by heavy rail.

To avoid the complexity and cost of a hybrid system, some plans would eliminate commuter rail service on Atlantic Avenue. This would alienate thousands of Long Island commuters and force them either to drive or seek jobs outside of Lower Manhatan.

We support the digging of a new tunnel to Lower Manhattan because we do not want to reduce any of the current subway capacity between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The MTA/Long Island Rail Road commuter rail service must be extended to Lower Manhattan to reduce traffic congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to ensure future development of Lower Manhattan.

Patrick M. Centolanzi, PE

Chair, Transportation Committee

Sierra Club

New York City

(917) 881-4217

Note: The Sierra Club's New York City National Field Office is located in Lower Manhattan, near Fulton and Water Streets.

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