King Secures $215 million for East Side Access
Project will improve commute for Long Islanders

July 24, 2007

For Immediate Relase
Contact Carol Danko
202-225-7896

WASHINGTON – Today Rep. Peter King’s (R-Seaford) request for $215 million for LIRR’s Manhattan East Side Access (ESA) project passed the House today as part of the FY 2008 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. Since 1998, King has fought yearly for ESA funding, securing over $1.1 billion. The money is essential to relieve over-crowding at Penn Station and save LIRR commuters valuable time by allowing them to travel directly to Grand Central Terminal.

“The inclusion of my full request in this bill was essential in order for this project to move forward on schedule,” said King. “East Side Access is going to provide enormous relief to Long Island Railroad commuters, which is why the timely completion of this project remains a top priority.”  

The ESA project is essential to the growth and vitality of the New York Metropolitan Region. The capacity to transport commuters from Long Island to their jobs in Manhattan is at a maximum, and must be expanded. ESA will provide an increase of 50% in the LIRR’s East River tunnel capacity, serve 180,000 commuters, improve passenger circulation throughout the MTA system and enhance the environment with fewer cars on the road. It is estimated to save commuters as much as 3 hours a week now wasted backtracking from Penn Station to Grand Central Terminal and their jobs on the east side.

“East Side Access will provide so many benefits to the people of Long Island, such as cleaner air, a quicker commute, and some extra time at home with their families,” said King. “I am delighted that the project is so widely supported and is moving forward as planned.”

The construction for this $6.3 billion project began in 2001, and has received wide-range support. In October 2006, the Bush Administration approved a $2.65 billion Full-Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) for ESA, and it has also received bipartisan support at both the state and local level. The project is expected to be completed by 2013.

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