During the week of July 12th, Helena Williams, President of the LIRR, announced that the MTA’s funding shortfalls would likely stall the Third Track Project. Although she remains committed to the goals of this project, she favors the delay of this estimated $1.5 BILLION proposal in favor of completing the LIRR/Grand Central link, also known as East Side Access Project. The cost of the latter project has skyrocketed from $6.4 BILLION to $7.2 BILLION just this year alone. Ms. Williams called her decision a “reordering of priorities” in the face of rising construction costs and the defeat of Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan which would have helped the MTA fund several of its capital projects that still have not been completed. Ms. Williams also announced that on July 23, 2008, she will ask the MTA Board to fund a study that could provide information about alternative measures to increase capacity until the third track could be constructed. It is important to note that earlier this year, the LIRR submitted its Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) - along with a list of properties which would be affected - to the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) for its approval. Thus far, the LIRR and the FTA have refused to release this information to the public.
Overall, the MTA Board, in recognition of anticipated financial shortfalls due to the serious economic declin
e at the present time, is also considering the delay of $2.7 BILLION worth of other projects in its capital plan as well as another fare increase just months after an approximate 4% fare increase this year. Although the Third Track Project was considered part of the new Capital Project Plan for 2010-2014, Ms. Williams stated that it appears unlikely that $1.5 BILLION for the Third Track Project could be available in this five-year plan especially when considering that $3 BILLION are still needed to complete the East Side Access Project.
The MTA plan predicts a $900 million operating shortfall next year and, along with agency belt-tightening, is expected to call on New York City and New York State government - as well as riders - to help pay it down. The MTA is expected to present a plan to its board on July 23rd that would call for an 8% increase in far
e revenue in July 2009 if its financial outlook does not improve. In response to the MTA’s announcement of proposed fare hikes, Governor Patterson said, "This cannot become the new way that the MTA solves problems: Every time there's an issue, pass along the increase to the ... riders," Paterson said. "Let's explore other options rather than a fare hike." Gov. Paterson vowed to do "everything I can to prevent" an MTA fare hike next summer, he said yesterday, noting that another increase is unwise with riders still smarting from a March hike of 3.85 %. "I am asking the MTA, you go back and take another look at [the] books, because if all the people are going to have a fare hike this soon after the last fare hike, [that] just, in my opinion, is not wise."
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city already provides police patrol of the subways, among other things, and cannot afford to bail out the MTA. "We're really putting in as much money as we possibly can," he said. Bloomberg said he wouldn't support another fare increase unless the MTA can show it's tightening its own belt. "Anybody that tells you they've got a $10 billion budget and they can't find a way to cut 5 percent, that's just poor management," said the mayor.
New York State Senator Craig Johnson (7th Senate District) said, “The MTA has finally realized that now is not the time for this project. Just as we have been saying all along, the MTA has finally admitted that it does not have the funds to undertake the project…While I praise them for finally listening to us and reaching the decision to delay, I would like to see the MTA go further and stop the Third Track in its enti
rety once and for all.” Trustee Robert Lofaro, Deputy Mayor of New Hyde Park said, "Our objective is to abandon the entire project completely. We always suspected that funding was a problem and we are not surprised by this announcement.” Other officials in Nassau County expressed relief with the hope that the entire plan would be permanently shelved.
Despite this, MTA board members Mitch Pally of Stony Brook and James McGovern of Manhasset said they will do "everything" that can be done to ensure the work gets done. "Elected officials hailing the delay as a victory won't be celebrating forever," Pally said. "This project will be built as quickly as we can do so," Pally said.
The MTA Board will be meeting on Wed., July 23rd to review these and other issues. Stay tuned.
Commentary
Although the Third Track Project seems to be stalled at the present time, we must remain vigilant about future proposals and we must continue to be vocal in our staunch opposition to this project. Homeowners and business owners in main line communities demand that the LIRR and the MTA withdraw the application for the project, which is pending before the FTA, and we demand the withdrawal of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project. We, the people of main line communities who are directly affected by these unnecessary proposals, deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the project will not reappear again in the future. Our homes, businesses and quality of life must not be held hostage by the MTA and the LIRR any longer!
During the week of July 12th, Helena Williams, President of the LIRR, announced that the MTA’s funding shortfalls would likely stall the Third Track Project. Although she remains committed to the goals of this project, she favors the delay of this estimated $1.5 BILLION proposal in favor of completing the LIRR/Grand Central link, also known as 
e at the present time, is also considering the delay of $2.7 BILLION worth of other projects in its capital plan as well as another fare increase just months after an approximate 4% fare increase this year. Although the Third Track Project was considered part of the new Capital Project Plan for 2010-2014, Ms. Williams stated that it appears unlikely that $1.5 BILLION for the Third Track Project could be available in this five-year plan especially when considering that $3 BILLION are still needed to complete the 
e revenue in July 2009 if its financial outlook does not improve. In response to the MTA’s announcement of proposed fare hikes, Governor Patterson said, "This cannot become the new way that the MTA solves problems: Every time there's an issue, pass along the increase to the ... riders," 
rety once and for all.” Trustee Robert Lofaro, Deputy Mayor of New 
