The Long Island Contractors’ Association (LICA), alongside key business leaders, labor unions, and elected officials, recently gathered at the Long Island Welcome Center to advocate for the creation of a Nassau Suffolk Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The legislation (A.10705/S.9918), sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) and state Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), would create a mechanism through which the Long Island region could apply directly for federal transportation dollars.
Historically, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council has determined the allocation of federal funding for New York City, Westchester, Putnam County, Rockland County and Long Island. This legislation would create a singular Long Island MPO to best service Nassau and Suffolk Counties. An MPO would provide a cohesive framework for addressing Long Island’s growing infrastructure needs, coordinating efforts at local, state, and federal levels to improve project efficiency, secure federal funding, and support sustainable development.
“The creation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization is a crucial step forward for Long Island,” LICA Executive Director Marc Herbst said. “By uniting the voices of business, labor, and government, we can streamline our transportation planning, access critical federal funding, and ensure that our infrastructure will meet the needs of future generations.”
“Long Island is a place unlike any other, and with that distinction comes the reality that we have unique needs,” Martinez said. “Our infrastructure and transportation systems must be as bold and resilient as the people who call this region home in order to thrive in an ever-changing world. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to secure the funding necessary for Long Island to meet the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow.”
“This critically important initiative can be a game-changer for Long Island,” Stern said. “While primarily a bi-partisan and multi-level government effort to secure our fair share of transportation and infrastructure funding, this is also about ensuring the quality of life that our hard-working residents and taxpayers have earned. A sound, modern infrastructure is the key to Long Island’s future, and I look forward to working with LICA and our partners to secure the essential resources we need to grow our local economy and thrive as a Long Island region for generations to come.”
“Long Island and New York City have always shared a strong connection, with many Long Islanders commuting to the city daily for work or leisure,” Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said. “However, our unique infrastructure needs require attention. The establishment of a bipartisan Long Island Metropolitan Planning Organization would be a game-changer, providing crucial support for long-term strategic planning and improvements to our roads, rails, bridges, and tunnels. This collaboration would ensure that Long Island’s specific transportation needs are addressed, benefiting and improving the lives of over 3 million Long Islanders.”
“As we continue working to modernize and strengthen Long Island’s infrastructure, the creation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization marks a crucial step forward,” Congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-Patchogue) said. “This initiative will improve efficiency, unlock federal funding, and ensure that our transportation network meets the needs of Long Islanders. I applaud this effort and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will bring to our community.”
“Long Island deserves to stand as a separate and independent Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in order to receive the proper funding and resources to meet the needs of our communities,” New York State Senator Jack Martins (R-Mineola) said. “I stand ready to work with all interested stakeholders to deliver funding for projects that are critical to the future of Long Island. Transportation and infrastructure improvements are not only essential for the safety of our residents but to keep Long Island economically viable. It is paramount that we focus on projects that will benefit and improve the quality of life for our Long Island families.
“For far too long, whether it is the condition of our roads or a glaring lack of mass transit options, our infrastructure needs have been ignored,” New York State Senator Mario R. Mattera (R-St. James) said. “Long Islanders travel on roadways that are in disrepair, ride on train lines that need electrification and that must change. We clearly have the workers that can do the job but we need to ensure that our residents’ voices are heard. This legislation will provide us with a very needed amplifier and I thank LICA and the bill’s two sponsors for their efforts to protect our region’s citizens.”
“I commend Senator Martinez and Assemblymember Stern for their leadership in introducing legislation to establish a new Metropolitan Planning Organization for Long Island,” Assemblywoman Taylor Darling D-Hempstead). “This is a crucial step toward addressing Long Island’s transportation and infrastructure challenges. Our infrastructure is long overdue for modernization, and this initiative will provide the strategic, unified planning needed to improve transportation for all residents. By prioritizing sustainability and efficiency, this organization will not only enhance the quality of life for commuters but also foster stronger economic development. Improved transportation will streamline business operations, attract new investments, and create opportunities for long-term growth across the region. It’s time to ensure our transportation system meets the demands of a growing, dynamic Long Island.”
“Creating a Metropolitan Planning Organization would not only make regional transportation improvement projects easy, but it would also promote economic growth and community development throughout Long Island,” Assemblyman John Mikulin (R-East Meadow) said. “I am proud to support this endeavor to enhance Long Island infrastructure and improve the lives of residents.”
“New York State’s transportation funding for Long Island has plummeted from 23% to just about 6% over the past few years,” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. “This drastic decline fails to meet the pressing needs of our region, especially in Suffolk County, where infrastructure improvements are essential for our growth and quality of life. The MPO initiative represents a critical opportunity to change course and secure real solutions that ensure Long Island receives its fair share of resources to address these challenges head-on.”
“As Babylon’s Supervisor, I see daily the impact of our aging infrastructure on residents and businesses,” Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer said. “Long Island needs a dedicated Metropolitan Planning Organization to secure our fair share of federal funding. I urge Governor Hochul to back this crucial initiative and call on our state’s Long Island delegation to unite across party lines to make it happen. An MPO will help us tackle traffic congestion, expand public transit, and improve roadways, driving real progress for our communities and economy.”
“Long Island is a vital economic hub that deserves a larger portion of the federal funds allocated to New York State,” Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. “We commend the Long Island Contractors Association for its dedicated efforts to secure a fair share of these funds, which will enhance our roadways, reduce traffic congestion, and address the transportation challenges facing Long Island’s residents, commuters, and businesses.”
“Investments in infrastructure are directly connected to economic competitiveness and prosperity,” Long Island Association President & CEO Matt Cohen said. “Long Island has a population that is larger than 15 states and a developed economy, and the needs of its transportation network would be well-served by its own Metropolitan Planning Organization, allowing our region to be more competitive with securing funding while shining a light on the needs of our aging infrastructure.”
“With a population of three million, it only makes sense that we would explore the benefits of a Long Island specific Planning organization,” Long Island Federation of Labor President John R. Durso, AFL-CIO said. “Our transportation needs are different from our neighbors in the city, and surrounding metropolitan areas. We applaud the Long Island Contractors’ efforts to pursue a professional, Long Island centric, planning entity and stand committed to working collaboratively to deliver a better transportation infrastructure for the region’s working families.”
“I am proud to stand with LICA and other key regional stakeholders today in support of an MPO for Long Island,” Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau and Suffolk Counties President Matthew Aracich said. “The new efficiency created by an MPO would unlock new funding streams that in turn will create more projects that both put the hardworking tradeswomen and tradesmen of the Building Trades to work and improve the quality of life for all of us here on Long Island. Addressing the transportation and infrastructure needs of Long Island is not a political issue, but rather it is a good government initiative that we should all commend. With the coalition gathered here today, we will work together to implement the MPO in order to keep Long Island moving forward.”
“HIA-LI strongly supports this critical legislation, which will empower Long Island to secure much-needed federal transportation funding,” HIA-LI President/CEO Terri Alessi-Miceli said. “We extend our sincere thanks to State Senator Monica Martinez, Assemblyman Steve Stern, and Marc Herbst of the Long Island Contractors’ Association for their leadership in advocating for the establishment of a dedicated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the bi-county region. This effort is crucial to ensuring that Long Island’s infrastructure can support our region’s economic growth and future needs. It also will help ensure future infrastructure funding for the Long Island Innovation Park at Hauppauge, the largest business park in the northeast.”
“Establishing the MPO will ensure our region’s transportation infrastructure is modern, efficient and meets our unique needs, allowing Long Island’s communities to be more accessible and livable,” Long Island Builders Institute CEO Mike Florio said.
“The hardworking men and women of Long Island’s Laborers’ Union understand the value of infrastructure investments better than anyone,” New York State Laborers’-Employers’ Cooperation & Education Trust Executive Director Patrick Purcell said. “Our members build and maintain the roads, bridges, and transit systems that keep this region moving. Establishing a Long Island MPO is about more than just securing funding—it’s about ensuring our communities have access to safe and reliable transportation options. With a dedicated MPO, we can tackle long-overdue projects, create good-paying jobs for our skilled workforce, and support the long-term economic vitality of the region. We stand ready to help make this effort a success for all Long Islanders.”
Representatives from LICA and other key stakeholders also voiced their support, underscoring the economic and social benefits of a well-planned and adequately funded transportation network. The creation of an MPO would significantly enhance the region’s capacity to manage infrastructure projects, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for residents, commuters, and businesses alike.