Commuter Rail

The time is long overdue for commuter rail to serve Stewart Airport in Newburgh, NY. The MTA has studied the feasibility of building a rail link between the Airport and New York City three times since 1971, and only now is it prepared to advance the idea.

Considering the economic stress in our region, this should have been implemented years ago. Without the continued advocacy for such a project in Albany, the plan has stalled, but I also understand the timing of the MTA action is no accident.

The MTA found, in the commuter study of 2003, repeated mention of the Port Authority's pending $78.5 million purchase of the long-term lease to operate the airport from the National Express Group. I don’t know why they were sitting on this information.

Our own Sr. Senator Chuck Schumer has been pushing for the additional few miles of rail to capitalize on the residential growth in Orange and Ulster county since 9-11. The economic impact from connecting the existing west side commuter rail from New York to Newburgh and even Kingston would be significant.

I have followed the progress of the ARC [Access to Regions Core] tunnel. MTA plans to cross the Hudson with an additional two track tunnel from New Jersey to lower Manhattan. When completed, the attention shifts to the rail spur connecting Stewart Airport.

I applaud Sen. Schumer and the MTA officials who have stood by the Metro North extension. The process is painfully slow and requires a stubborn focus on the economic growth and well being of the mid-Hudson region. I can only lend my support for its continuation and hope to sheppard the final process to fruition as your State Senator.