This year marks thirty years since the first section of the Long Island Expressway’s High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes opened. Since then, we have seen no significant highway construction projects in our region. Meanwhile, our transportation infrastructure continues to age, and congestion only worsens. It’s time for a change.
Assemblyman Steve Stern is introducing a bill in the upcoming state legislative session that could be a game-changer for Long Island. His proposed legislation seeks to establish a Long Island Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), a move that would give our region the power to plan, prioritize, and secure federal funding for transportation projects tailored to our specific needs. This bill deserves the full support of our legislators.
Recognizing his outstanding efforts, the Long Island Contractors’ Association (LICA) is proud to honor Assemblyman Steve Stern with its 2024 “LICA Leadership Award” as our Person of the Year. His commitment to advocating for Long Island’s transportation needs has been unparalleled, and this award acknowledges his pivotal role in championing this crucial legislation.
Historically, Long Island benefited from a state budgeting policy that allocated transportation funds based on roadway lane miles and registered vehicles. With Suffolk and Nassau counties ranking first and third, respectively, in lane miles and both counties exceeding one million registered vehicles, our region received 23% of the state’s transportation capital dollars. However, during the Spitzer Administration, this equitable formula was abandoned, and this year Long Island’s share of funding plummeted to less than seven percent. Despite maintaining the largest number of lane miles and contending with the highest concentration of vehicles, we have been left behind in state transportation investments.
Creating a Long Island MPO would allow us to reclaim our fair share of transportation funding. By directly controlling our planning and funding priorities, we can address critical infrastructure needs that have been ignored for too long. These include the Oakdale Interchange, the continuation of Route 347 rehabilitation phases, widening the Sagitkos Parkway, the reconstruction of the Meadowbrook and Southern State Parkways interchange, and vital safety improvements along the Southern State Parkway—infamously known as “Blood Alley.”
This is not just about transportation; it’s about jobs and economic growth. The construction industry on Long Island stands to benefit enormously from these projects. They will create thousands of jobs, stimulate local economies, and improve the quality of life for residents across the region. However, without our own MPO, Long Island will continue to be overshadowed by the larger ten-county consortium that currently prioritizes projects in New York City and other areas.
Federal funding is out there, but we need a seat at the table to ensure Long Island’s projects are not just considered but prioritized. Other communities in the state, like Elmira, have the advantage of directly petitioning the federal government with their own MPOs. Long Island deserves the same. We must seize this opportunity to control our destiny, and that starts with supporting Assemblyman Steve Stern’s bill.
For the construction industry, this legislation is a vital step forward. It is a call to action for all stakeholders—contractors, labor unions, engineers, and business leaders—to rally behind this bill. Our legislators need to hear loud and clear that Long Island is ready to take control of its transportation future. The projects we need are not just about moving cars—they are about moving our economy forward.
As we celebrate Assemblyman Steve Stern as LICA’s 2024 Person of the Year, let’s also commit to supporting his vision. Let’s ensure that thirty years from now, we can look back on this moment as the turning point when Long Island finally secured the transportation infrastructure it deserves. Support Assemblyman Steve Stern’s bill to create the Long Island Metropolitan Planning Organization.