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 Assemblymember Robert Sweeney (who is also running on the Independence Party and Working Families tickets) is running unopposed in New York’s 11th Assembly District that encompasses the western half of the Town of Babylon in Suffolk County. This district abuts Nassau County and includes the Village of Lindenhurst. Assm. Sweeney was initially challenged by James McDonaugh, but Mr. McDonaugh withdrew from the race in September due to a family illness. Assm. Sweeney provided TSTC with a completed questionnaire highlighting his stances on particular transportation issues. Here are some of the highlights:

Assm. Sweeney indicated that he has obtained state funds for Suffolk Transit as well as for LIRR station upgrades in his district. He also was one of the few suburban legislators who supported New York City’s congestion pricing plan.

In response to increased demand for public transportation service, Assm. Sweeney supports the LIRR Third Track plan, writing that it will provide greater flexibility and allow for greater increases in ridership. In addition, he also believes that mass transit must be made affordable, reliable, and safe and be pursued in tandem with smart growth efforts to encourage broader public transportation use. Smart growth would also help mitigate transportation and environmental problems on Long Island, the assemblymember wrote. In order to fund transportation, Assm. Sweeney said he would support dedicated taxes and a congestion pricing plan.

Assm. Sweeney, in addition to supporting the LIRR Third Track project, supports the LIRR East Side Access project to Grand Central Terminal. He did not take a position on whether adding travel lanes to the Route 347 corridor in the Towns of Smithtown, Islip and Brookhaven was a worthy project. Assm. Sweeney also did not indicate support or opposition to the Long Island Intermodal Plan at Pilgrim State, but wrote that “Governor Paterson has proposed a comprehensive look at transportation and other issues in this area, which I support.”