Infrastructure is ultimately an act of stewardship. We inherit roads, bridges, waterways and communities shaped by those who came before us, and we carry the responsibility of strengthening them for those who will follow.
That responsibility runs through every story in this Fall issue of Road Warriors.
Our cover story features New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton, a Long Island native whose personal connection to our coastal environment has helped shape her career in public service. She shares her vision for greater collaboration among state agencies, the construction industry and the communities we collectively serve. Her perspective is a valuable reminder that economic growth and environmental responsibility need not be competing priorities. With communication, predictability and partnership, they can advance together.
In “The Driver’s Seat,” LICA Executive Director Marc Herbst explores the history of Port Washington and how the influence of its harbor helped shape a future leader of the NYSDEC.
That connection between place, public policy and infrastructure continues throughout the issue. Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay discusses Brookhaven’s critical infrastructure needs, including the debate surrounding the proposed rail yard. Rocco Carriero offers practical guidance for business owners planning amid continued interest-rate uncertainty.
We also highlight the work happening across our industry every day. United Fence and Guardrail demonstrates its commitment to safety while completing work along Robert Moses Causeway. Inside the Local 1298 Training Center, we see the comprehensive education and hands-on preparation that give laborers the skills they need to arrive on the job ready to work safely and productively.
Readiness also means caring for the people behind the work. The Outreach Center’s confidential services connect LICA members and their families with support for substance use, mental health challenges, family concerns and job-related stress. Building a strong industry requires us to treat personal well-being with the same seriousness we bring to physical safety.
FOREWomen Long Island, an initiative of LICA, recently carried that conversation forward at its Workforce Development Summit. Industry leaders Marie Milord, Leah Rambo, Buket Agdere and Rebecca Clark joined moderator Rosalie Drago to discuss how we attract, prepare and retain the next generation of construction professionals, particularly women who may not yet see a place for themselves in our industry.
Finally, our photo gallery takes us to Ronkonkoma, where DARR Construction is helping bring the next phase of Tri-Tec’s Station Yards development to life.
Together, these stories show that infrastructure is about far more than individual projects. It is about partnership, preparation, opportunity and the people whose work keeps our region moving.
Thank you for reading,
Jaime Quent
Editor-in-Chief
Road Warriors Magazine