From:
The New York Building Congress
44 West 28th Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Contact: Richard T. Anderson (212) 481-9230

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Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
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Contact: Bud Perrone (212) 843-8068

For Immediate Release

Lirr Access to Grand Central Draws Vital Support but Funding Difficulties Loom

New York, August 13, 1999 -- New York once again is undertaking a major effort to expand its mass transit capacity after decades in which virtually all funding was earmarked for restoration and upkeep of existing assets. This is evidenced by the growing support for creation of Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) access to Grand Central Terminal, an estimated $4 billion project.

Key officials from Washington, Albany and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) demonstrated their backing for East Side Access during a special New York Building Congress luncheon forum at the Grand Hyatt on August 11th. Those who comprised the luncheon panel -- U.S. Representatives Peter T. King and Gregory W. Meeks; State Assemblywoman Catherine T. Nolan; State Senator Dean G. Skelos; and LIRR President Thomas Prendergast -- all deemed the project critical to the region's future prosperity and detailed the financial commitments already in place in Albany and in Washington.

The East Side Access project will provide direct LIRR service to Grand Central via the long-existing but unused LIRR level of the 63rd Street tunnel. It would call for the burrowing of deep rock under the East River and construction of connectors to existing LIRR tracks. The project currently is in the design stage, with actual construction expected to begin in two years. Completion is slated for 2009.

Each of the speakers warned, however, that full funding is far from guaranteed and that the building community must continue to be vocal in its advocacy and work closely with State and Federal representatives over the next decade, if East Side Access is to become a reality.

LIRR President Tom Prendergast, who called East Side Access "a significant addition to the region's transportation infrastructure," noted that New York is fighting for limited federal funds. "We need full TEA21 funding that is allocated through 2003 and continued funding thereafter."

Congressman King, while noting that $44 million in prior federal appropriations were released in June for the project and another $4 million was added to the year 2000 appropriation, warned, "This is going to be a struggle every year. The struggle will be in the Senate." He said the New York delegation must resist annual efforts by Senators from Western and Southern states to curtail the flow of transportation funds slated for New York.

Congressman Meeks echoed these sentiments, adding that a current Senate proposal would cap the percentage of transportation funds any one state can attain. Such a provision, he said, would cost New York State $200 million. "Projects like East Side Access are critical to New York. Everyone in this room must contact federally elected officials and demand funding. He added, "Work with Senator Schumer, Representative King and myself. I believe collectively we can make this project a reality," said Congressman Meeks.

State Senator Dean Skelos from Nassau County said New York "has to have the vision to look down the road." He said Penn Station is at capacity, and the Midtown Tunnel is overburdened. This project is necessary to relieve congestion and maintain the economic viability of both Long Island and New York City. Mass transit investment should not end there, however. "The program is critically important, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't be talking about the Second Avenue Subway. All of this needs to happen. I look forward to working with you as we start the next capital plan," added State Senator Skelos, a member of the MTA Capital Review Board.

Assemblywoman Nolan, also a member of the MTA Capital Review Board, praised the State's newfound desire to jump start major, forward-looking infrastructure projects, but warned that tough days could be ahead in Albany. "I am concerned that in this time of tax-cut mania, funding for major projects may dry up. Dedicated revenues are in jeopardy. I want to see a commitment to (keeping the transit system in) a state of good repair but also to capacity expansion." She added that other, non-monetary issues, also must be resolved, such as integrating East Side Access with a Second Avenue Subway line and the JFK rail link. She also cited the need to ensure that residents in Queens, where the bulk of construction will take place, will benefit from East Side Access as well as Long Island residents.

Michael Della Rocca, Co-chairman of the Building Congress' Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, urged the building community to unite behind this project. "We at the Building Congress are delighted to see that our representatives are committed to a project, that while critical, will not start showing benefits until ten years down the road. While early signs are encouraging, we need to work closely with our elected representatives in Washington and Albany to ensure that the East Side Access program is not derailed in future years."

The New York Building Congress is a non-partisan, 78-year-old public policy coalition of business, labor, professional, association and governmental organizations representing the design, construction and real estate industry. Its 300 corporate, institutional and labor union members comprise some 100,000 individuals.