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 of every State Assembly and Senate district in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Over the next two weeks, MTR will highlight each district from which we received responses from at least one candidate. These are not endorsements but overviews of where the candidates stand on some of the key transportation issues facing Long Island.
Democrat William Pitcher is challenging Republican Assemblymember Fred Thiele (who is also running on the Conservative, Independence, and Working Families lines) in New York’s 2nd Assembly District, an area which encompasses Southampton and East Hampton in far southeastern Suffolk County. TSTC received no response to our questionnaire from Assm. Thiele, but Mr. Pitcher provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire highlighting his stances on particular transportation issues. Here are some of the highlights:
Overall, Mr. Pitcher believes that expanded LIRR service for commuters on Long Island’s East End from Eastport to Montauk is a priority. He also believes in expanded aid for bus and rail service, particularly for Suffolk Bus services. To mitigate and reduce pedestrian fatalities on Long Island, an area with the highest pedestrian fatality rate in New York state outside of the five boroughs, Mr. Pitcher called for strict enforcement of speed limits and other traffic laws.
Mr. Pitcher supports expanding transit and freight infrastructure on Long Island in the form of the LIRR East Side Access connection to Grand Central Terminal, the Third Track project along the LIRR Main Line Corridor and the Long Island Intermodal center at Pilgrim State. He also believes NYSDOT’s Route 347 widening project is a worthwhile project to address traffic congestion.
Assm. Thiele has been supportive of permanent shuttle service in the South Fork, similar to the South Fork Commuter Connection which ended service this summer. He also introduced legislation in 2005 to create an East End transit authority.
