Some of the most contentious transportation discussions in the region are taking place on Long Island. For this reason, TSTC sent surveys to the incumbents and challengers in every state legislative district in Nassau and Suffolk counties. MTR is highlighting each district from which at least one candidate responded.

Democratic Assm. Earlene Hooper (also running on the Independence ticket) is facing a two-pronged challenge from Working Families candidate Henry Conyers and Republican candidate Darren Bryant (also running on the Conservative ticket) in the 18th Assembly District which encompasses the Village of Hempstead, Uniondale, and Roosevelt in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County. TSTC received no response from Mr. Bryant, but Assm. Hooper and the WFP challenger, Mr. Conyers, provided TSTC with completed questionnaires. Here are some of the highlights:

Henry Conyers

Mr. Conyers said his vision was to see an alternative mass transit system implemented from New York City to the end of Suffolk County. He believes this new system would alleviate the overburdened LIRR as well as the LI Bus and Suffolk Bus systems, and wrote that the new system would create needed jobs and pay for itself. To reduce congestion, Mr. Conyers would work to eliminate all tractor trailer traffic on Long Island roadways by pushing for an expanded freight rail system.

In response to the high numbers of pedestrian and traffic fatalities on Long Island, Mr. Conyers called for installation of red light cameras and implementing more bike lanes in all New York counties.

Mr. Conyers supports the LIRR East Side Access project, the LIRR Third Track project and the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State. He is undecided as to his support or opposition to the addition of travel lanes on Route 347 in the Towns of Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven.

Assm. Earlene Hooper

Assm. Hooper would push for increased train frequency (every 30-35 minutes as opposed to hourly, she wrote) and upgrade technology on the trains like temperature control that is more responsive to the weather. Assm. Hooper would also work to improve bus-rail connectivity in suburban areas. These actions, as well as adopting flex-time work hours at government agencies, would also decrease congestion on Long Island’s roads, she said.

To mitigate transportation problems caused by poor land use decisions, Assm. Hooper said that during the decision-making process the “sincere” inclusion and involvement of local residents and business was needed prior to “doing business as usual.”

Assm. Hooper supports the LIRR East Side Access project and the LIRR Third Track project, but is undecided when it comes to the Long Island Intermodal project at Pilgrim State and the addition of travel lanes on Route 347.