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.

Republican Scott Salimando, according to the Suffolk County Republican Party, is challenging Democratic Assemblymember Patricia Eddington (who is also running on the Independence and Working Families lines) in New York’s 3rd Assembly District that encompasses East Islip, Medford and Patchogue in the Town of Brookhaven on the southeastern coast of Long Island. TSTC received no response from the challenger, Mr. Salimando, nor was there any information concerning transportation views on his website, but Assm. Eddington provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire highlighting her stances on particular transportation issues. Here are some of the highlights:

Assm. Eddington has supported increased safety measures for pedestrians that require motorists to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk if there is no traffic control signal present. Assm. Eddington also wrote that the state must sufficiently fund mass transit, but that transit agencies should not resort to fare increases if the state does not do its part. She has supported a “millionaire’s tax” to fund transportation and supported the “Rebuild and Renew NY Transportation Bond Act of 2005” which provided money for transit projects and road maintenance (MTR # 509).

The Assemblywoman recognizes the need to limit sprawl, but also supports expansion of roads and NYSDOT’s plan to expand Route 347, a seeming contradiction.

Assm. Eddington supports the addition of a third track along the Main Line corridor of the LIRR and the East Side Access project to connect the LIRR to Grand Central Terminal. She currently opposes the LITRIM intermodal project in Brentwood, but writes that she would need more information on the project as it is not in her district.