Expansion for Transportation in Lake Ronkonkoma

Amtrak is expanding their stations to Long Island, heading to Lake Ronkonkoma.

Written by Bre Cima 

Lake Ronkonkoma is looking to expand the transportation system. Currently, the LIRR has a station that runs through Lake Ronkonkoma. The new proposal is for Amtrak station to add a location at Lake Ronkonkoma. This would allow for a new national station and contribute new travel experiences for local Long Island residents. In December 2023, Amtrak announced it received a $500,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to study expanding Amtrak service to Ronkonkoma. The proposed corridor would extend three existing daily Northeast regional round trips between Washington D.C. and New York, east to Ronkonkoma, with stops in Jamaica and Hicksville. Amtrak would run through existing lines of the LIRR. Amtrak officials said they would make upgrades to the Ronkonkoma line overall to upgrade it. Amtrak officials said they are unsure about the upgrade's cost and the earliest the new station would be completed in 2028.  

For Long Island residents, the closest Amtrak station is Penn Station. This means Long Island residents currently must take a train ride to get to Penn Station to then get to Amtrak. This would cut residents' travel time and would be more cost-efficient. This Amtrak Station idea is still in the early stages of development. Considered by Amtrak officials, local officials, and transportation authorities. Experts have suggested that this Amtrak Station will not only give an economic boost to the community but additionally make the local area more accessible to new visitors and business. Lake Ronkonkoma is already a popular transit station through the LIRR. It makes the most sense to add the Amtrak to the area. Additionally, the major benefit officials have added to the proposal is the transition from Long Island to MacArthur Airport. This would allow for a direct transfer at Ronkonkoma and would integrate a shuttle service between the new station and the airport. This would be a benefit for travelers flying out on Long Island without making a stop in New York City. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/ronkonkoma-station-macarthur-airport-connection-funding/

Within the community, some see challenges with this new addition. Since Ronkonkoma is already a major area for travel with the LIRR, will this add more to the mix? Residents are saying that if you are going towards Penn, why have an Amtrak station if there is one in New York City? Many want to know why they added a station for the island. The Islip Town Board voted against distributing $872,000 towards the project. The current issues residents have about the new station are funding for the project and coordination through existing rail lines. The community is stressing the importance among officials to address these concerns residents have for the project to move forward successfully. If officials successfully enforce all these conditions, adding the Amtrak in Ronkonkoma would connect Long Island to cities such as Boston, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. 

 Amtrak is still in the initial stages of creating the new station. This would bring a great expansion of traveling for Long Island residents and bring economic growth for the community. Even though the community and officials see benefits and concerns with the project, hopefully the community can come together for the future of transportation in Long Island.