New York’s proposed Long Island tunnel project inched forward on Tuesday with the New York State Department of Transportation issuing a request for expression of interest (RFEI) to glean input on environmental, engineering, financial, and operational considerations.
The RFEI will be used to inform a request for proposals (RFP) for a Long Island tunnel, which New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in his 2018 State of the State address. The tunnel was also considered in the 1930s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and most recently in 2008.
“Improving and expanding our transportation infrastructure is essential to moving New York forward,” Cuomo said. “Today, we are taking another step to advance an ambitious project that would reduce traffic on the impossibly congested Long Island Expressway, improve connectivity, and help ensure the region’s future economic competitiveness.”
A feasibility study commissioned by the state last year found that tunnel-only and tunnel-bridge combination options could both be viable. Design assumptions call for two or three lanes in each direction, suitable for interstate traffic and open road tolling.
“This project has the potential to be transformative for the region,” New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul Karas said. “Now that our study is complete, we will conduct additional engineering, environmental and financial analysis on the project, while assessing impacts on local communities.”
The RFEI also encourages comments on how a tunnel would impact the overall connectivity and mobility of Long Island, shape regional economic growth and generate revenues.