The LIRR has proposed an expansion of an additional track on the Main Line Corridor from Floral Park to Hickville, New York. The LIRR, in compliance with federal law, has begun the Environmental Impact Statement process by submitting a Preliminary Draft Environmental Impact Statement to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). After FTA reviews the document and makes comments, the LIRR will respond to the comments. At that point, the FTA will make the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) public. I fully support having a public comment period to allow myself and my constituents to provide feedback to the FTA and LIRR regarding the impact this project will have on our community. Additionally, there are several items that MUST be included in the DEIS to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities on Long Island.

 

First, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA)/LIRR must specifically outline their plan to mitigate the noise surrounding the proposed “Third Track” sites. The quality of life in our communities must be maintained. We have seen the damaging effects train noise can have on other parts of the Fourth Congressional District. The MTA/LIRR has a responsibility to ensure train noise is properly accounted for and to set up mitigation plans that are sufficient for each community.

 

Second, the MTA/LIRR must come up with community-specific plans to help businesses that will be affected by the “Third Track” construction. Long Island’s economy thrives on successful local businesses. Local businesses cannot suffer as a result of “Third Track” construction.

 

Third, the MTA/LIRR must outline an adequate number of street-level crossing elimination sites. The area along the proposed “Third Track’ are home to some of the most dangerous street-level crossings in the nation. These crossings are not only dangerous, but lead to enormous traffic delays during rush hour. It is imperative to elevate these crossings to improve the safety and traffic situation on Long Island.

 

Additionally, there must be specific traffic solutions to mitigate the inconveniences caused by “Third Track” construction, as well as specific strategies to minimize residents displaced by the construction. 

 

 

The quality of life of residents in the Fourth Congressional District of New York has been severely affected by loud locomotive horn noise. The Federal Railway Administration (FRA) issued new regulations regarding locomotive horn noise at highway-rail grade crossings in 2001, which resulted in an increase in noise. Since that time, I have continued to work with those affected and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to reduce train horn noise while ensuring the safety of the communities surrounding highway-rail grade crossings. In the 110^th Congress, I have been able to insert language into two bills to assist with this issue. 

 

First, the LIRR has applied to the FRA for a waiver to reduce the decibel level their horns are set at because the sound registers at a higher decibel level when traveling through the densely populated areas of New York City and Long Island. This waiver is based on the unique characteristics of Long Island, which has many building and structure in close proximity to highway-rail grade crossings. I inserted language in to H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act, which passed the House and would require the FRA to consider the unique characteristics of the local community and the effect of horn noise when considering an application for a waiver under train horn regulations. I have not and will not support any measure that will reduce the safety of residents in communities surrounding high-way rail grade crossings. However, when trains pass through our communities, the horn noise registers at a much higher decibel level than when the horns are tested due to the density of our communities. 

 

Second, many constituents have called for the LIRR to utilize different types of horns in order to reduce the horn noise. However, before LIRR can utilize new technology it must be fully vetted. This is why I also inserted language in to H.R. 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, that will require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to study the use and development of train horn technology. My language asked that in studying different train horn technologies that the Secretary should focus on train horn noise and its effect on a local community. If there exists new technology that will reduce train horn noise, we should do everything possible to fully vet the technology so that the LIRR and other railroads may use the technology to reduce the effect that horn noise has on our quality of life. 

 

 

There has been a gradual increase in the volume of air traffic and airplane noise since 2000. The result is that it is significantly more difficult to maintain a decent quality of life in the communities in the path of John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. I have worked continuously to address this issue by working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. I support an increase in the Airport Improvement Program which provides funding for airport development and planning. This Program also provide funding for noise compatibility planning to carry out noise abatement and compatibility programs, including sound proofing schools and other community building. 

 

I also worked with the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to obtain language in H.R. 2881, the Federal Aviation Authorization Act, that expresses a sense of Congress that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey conduct a part 150 study of comprehensive noise evaluation and mitigation with special attentions to the areas around JFK and LaGuardia airports. This bill passed the House in 2007 and is awaiting action by the Senate. 

 

CHILDREN AND CAR SAFETY

 

I believe car safety is an area often overlooked in today’s society. That is why I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 1216, Kids and Cars Safety Act of 2007. H.R. 1216 directs the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to decrease the incidence of child injury and death related to non-traffic incidents. Since 2000, more than 1,000 children have died in non-traffic incidents. This bill will help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities by ensuring power windows automatically reverse direction when they detect an obstruction, notifying the driver of the presence of a person or object behind a vehicle, and establishing a child safety information program. 

 

 

As we continue to examine homeland security, it is necessary to expand our country’s transportation infrastructure. However, we must also balance expanding our country’s transportation infrastructure with the need to secure our country’s transportation infrastructure. That is why I voted for H.R. 1401, the Rail and Public Transportation Security Act. H.R. 1401 not only provides specific guidelines to improve the safety of rail and public transit infrastructure, but it also establishes several grants for local agencies including grants to provide security for public transit, increase security for railroads, and training for railroad, public transit, and over-the-road bus employees to prepare for potential threats. H.R. 1401 explicitly states that grants for security-related purposes will be based on risk, ensuring that New York will receives its fair share of federal funding.