Foley Is Pleased To Offer Commuters a Hand

DECEMBER 7, 2006, FARMINGVILLE, NY- Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley announced at a press conference Thursday that the town has agreed to take over a parking lot at the Ronkonkoma Rail Road station that in the past has been run by the Long Island Rail Road. The town taking over the lot will insure that commuters will continue to have free parking in the lot.

Resurfacing work has been completed on the MTA Long Island Rail Road’s 335-space parking lot on the north side of Ronkonkoma Station, benefiting the many commuters using this busy station each morning. Participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the parking lot work were Supervisor Foley, State Senator Caesar Trunzo, MTA Board Member Mitchell Pally and Acting LIRR President Raymond Kenny.

“The Long Island Railroad is such an important part of Brookhaven Town’s transportation infrastructure,” said Supervisor Foley. “Every day, thousands of our town residents hop on board right here – and at other stations – and go off to jobs in New York City and western Long Island.

“That’s why I was pleased to sit down with the railroad’s leadership – including our own MTA board member Mitch Pally – in the early days of my administration to discuss ways that we could work together to benefit our mutual constituencies. And one of the many ideas discussed that day is coming to fruition today.

“Now normally the refurbishment of parking lot is not something that makes headlines. But this one should. Because this is a case of government partnership – and public-private innovation – at its best.

“When we sat down with the railroad, one thing we discussed was the disrepair of many of its parking lots, especially ones here at the heavily-used Ronkonkoma hub. In fact, one thing under consideration by the railroad was the institution of parking fees to help underwrite the cost of refurbishing this parking lot. That, obviously, was something we all wanted to avoid.

“So, my staff sat down with LIRR officials, and MTA board member Mitch Pally and hammered out an agreement whereby the railroad would pick up the cost of refurbishing this lot, in exchange for the town maintaining it. That way, commuters could continue to enjoy no-cost parking for years to come.

“We’re pleased to have played a key role in providing this early ‘holiday present’ for commuters. They spend hours each day traveling to and from work – waking up early and getting home late – and the least we can do is help make sure they have adequate, quality, parking facilities.”

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board Member Mitchell Pally added: “The pooling of resources from both the LIRR and the Town of Brookhaven for this much-needed parking improvement project will be a great benefit to all of our customers who use this station and I congratulate both Supervisor Foley and Acting President Kenny for their support. I am very hopeful that other municipalities will use this new agreement as a model for other parking initiatives for our communities.”

The work on the parking lot – which was performed in three stages over an approximate two and one-half month period – included the repair of cracks in the asphalt surface, re-grading of the lot for drainage, repaving and restriping. The parking lot curbs and sidewalks were also repaired. Plantings added the finishing touch. The 335-space lot includes 20 van-accessible handicapped parking spaces. There is no charge for parking in the lot and it is unrestricted – accessible to all customers.

LIRR Acting President Raymond Kenny said: “I am very pleased that we were able to benefit from two funding sources for this much needed parking at Ronkonkoma. NYS Senator Caesar Trunzo secured the money for the lot repair work, and Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Brian X. Foley identified the funding for the on-going operation and maintenance of the lot. I would also like to thank Board Member Pally for his dedicated support, cooperation and assistance with this project. Parking is a key aspect of the service we provide for our Ronkonkoma customers, and I am very pleased with the outcome.”

With the completion of the work on this parking lot, the stage is set for the design work to begin on a second parking lot renovation project on the north side of the track at Ronkonkoma, east of the station building. Located on Railroad Avenue, work on this approximate 380-space lot will include drainage, new asphalt pavement, striping, sidewalks, curbs, fencing and landscaping. New lighting will also be installed. The $3.9 million estimated cost for the work is being funded through the MTA LIRR Capital Program. When work is completed on the renovation of this lot, the Town of Brookhaven will enter into an agreement for its maintenance and operation.

Acting LIRR President Raymond Kenny, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley and MTA board member Mitchell Pally cut the ribbon at a newly repaved Ronkonkoma rail road station parking lot on Thursday. The Town of Brookhaven will maintain the lot and continue free parking for commuters.



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Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677