L.I. How Did We Get Here? Transportation
Transportation
Transportation
When it comes to transportation, Long Island boasts many firsts. From building the world’s first limited-access highway, to the first transatlantic flight, and even to the 100,000+ Grumman workers on Long Island who built the lunar module that landed the first astronauts to walk on the Moon. Auto-dependency is a Long Island suburban hallmark, but long-awaited improvements to Long Island’s rail transportation system are now being implemented. These improvements to the LIRR are spurring transit-oriented developments near train stations and providing more transportation options.
In order to bring communities together to address today’s transportation challenges, it can be instructive to first consider our shared history and ask the question, Long Island, how did we get here?
TRANSPORTATION ON LONG ISLAND — TIMELINE OF EVENTS
This is a timeline of milestones in Long Island’s history of transportation, with links to sources for more information about the topic.
1703 — First "highways"
The General Assembly appointed highway commissioners who established east-west dirt roads significant parts of which evolved into today’s 25A, Jericho Turnpike and Montauk Highway.
In Long Island’s early history, the only transportation options were narrow footpaths and waterways. Most paths were no more than two or three feet wide.
Through use and clearing, early European settlers widened the most traveled paths into cartways that could accommodate horse- or ox-drawn carts.
In 1703, the New York General Assembly appointed highway commissioners in each of the three counties then on Long Island: King’s County (now Brooklyn), Queen’s County (now Queens and Nassau), and Suffolk County to direct the building and maintenance of roads “four rods wide” (66 feet). These roads were unpaved, only packed to hardness by foot, horse, and cart traffic. Over time, drainage ditches were dug, and logs or wooden planks were added as road surfaces to make them more usable in wet weather.
The three major ‘highways’ of colonial Long Island — North Country Road, Middle Country Road, and South Country Road — were laid out and constructed within thirty years after the highway commissions first planned their routes. These routes still exist in many places and have been made into parts of today’s Route 25A; Route 25 or Jericho Turnpike; and Montauk Highway.
https://tbrnewsmedia.com/a-small-taste-of-history-middle-country-and-horseblock-roads/
1792 — Montauk Point Lighthouse commissioned
Authorized by the Second United States Congress and commissioned by George Washington in 1792, it was the first lighthouse in New York State. It was intended to facilitate shipping to New York Harbor. Ships approaching from the east needed a beacon to guide them south of Long Island.
https://montaukhistoricalsociety.org/montauk-point-lighthouse/
1796 - Montauk Point Lighthouse constructed
Construction began on the Lighthouse on June 7, 1796 and was completed on November 5, 1796. The Montauk Point Lighthouse tower is 110-feet, 6-inches high and was the first public works project of the United States of America.
1834 — Long Island Rail Road Chartered
The Long Island Rail Road was granted a charter by the NY State Legislature in 1834. It was not intended to serve Long Island, however. The main purpose of the railway was to carry passengers between New York City and Boston, with a ferry ride between Greenport and Stonington, Connecticut, to connect to a railroad that continued to Boston. The terrain of Southern Connecticut was considered impractical for building rail at the time. Land for a right of way down the center of Long Island was relatively flat, had no major rivers to traverse, and was sparsely settled, so it had few grade crossings and was inexpensive. The track reached Hickville in 1837. Passengers from Long Island’s more populated communities on the north and south shores needed to take long stagecoach rides to reach the stations.
http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrpaper/lihistoricaljournal/LIHJ-LIRR.htm
1844 LIRR main line completed
Service to Greenport began in 1844. There, a steamboat owned by the LIRR took passengers across the Long Island Sound to continue by rail to Boston. The combined trip cut 5 hours off the shortest land route between New York City and Boston at the time. There was competition with other rail and steamship routes, but the LIRR became the primary passenger and mail route between the two cities.
In 1848, the completion of the New York and New Haven Railroad through southern Connecticut provided a quicker, fully overland route between New York City and Boston. The LIRR’s profits collapsed.
The LIRR was forced to begin serving Long Island. It expanded to the more populous north and south shores by building a new branch that eventually reached Huntington and consolidating with two other local railroad companies. To increase ridership, the LIRR began to promote Long Island as a resort destination. It provided excursion service to shorefront communities where resort hotels had been built.
http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrpaper/lihistoricaljournal/LIHJ-LIRR.htm
1883 Brooklyn Bridge completed.
Construction began on the Brooklyn Bridge in 1869 and was completed in 1883. Designed by John Roebling, the bridge was the longest suspension span in the world at the time. It provided the first connection to Long Island without a boat. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brooklyn-bridge-opens
https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/brooklyn-bridge.shtml
1883 Port Jefferson Ferry established
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company began operations between Port Jefferson, L.I. and Bridgeport, Connecticut. The co-founder and first president of the company was P.T. Barnum.
https://pjstchamber.com/the-bridgeport-and-port-jefferson-steamboat-company/
1908 — Long Island Motor Parkway constructed
Also known as Vanderbilt Parkway, it was the first road designed exclusively for automobiles. The first portion completed was a 10-mile stretch from Queens to Bethpage. That was opened on October 10th, 1908. Eventually, the roadway was extended to Lake Ronkonkoma and reached 45 miles in length.
It was the first concrete highway in the U.S. and the world’s first limited-access highway. Overpasses and bridges were used to eliminate most intersections. Motor Parkway hosted auto races in its early years, but fatal accidents resulted in State Legislation banning auto racing except on racetracks.
Motor Parkway was operated as a private toll road until it was closed and taken over by New York State for unpaid back taxes. The roadway still exists in places as parts of other roads and a bicycle and walking path.
https://longislandmotorparkway.com/
1910 Long Island Railroad service to Pennsylvania Station begins
The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) acquired the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) in 1900. PRR invested in improving rail connections to downtown Manhattan, leading to the construction of Pennsylvania Station, which became a central hub for both intercity and commuter rail. The LIRR was directly integrated into the station's infrastructure, with four tunnels built beneath the East River to connect Long Island to the new terminal.
The grand opening of Pennsylvania Station occurred in stages, with LIRR service beginning on September 8, 1910, and the full terminal opening on November 27, 1910. Direct access to Manhattan increased LIRR ridership to 34 million in the next year.
https://www.untappedcities.com/september-2nd-marks-the-first-lirr-train-into-penn-station/
https://www.american-rails.com/pennsylvania.html
1927 — Construction of Long Island State Parkways begins
The parkway system was conceived by Robert Moses, a commissioner of the Long Island State Parks Commission from its establishment in 1924 until 1963. The Long Island parkways were modeled after the Bronx River Parkway, which was built between 1906 and 1925. Parkway construction on Long Island continued through the 1960s. The parkway system was intended to create scenic, efficient access to the State Parks and beaches being developed on Long Island, that did not rely on increasingly congested and unattractive local roads. The first section of the Southern State Parkway was opened to public use in 1927. Ocean Parkway and the Jones Beach Causeway were opened and providing access to Jones Beach by the summer of 1929.
http://www.nycroads.com/history/parkway/
https://www.hofstra.edu/pdf/library/libspc_lisi_long_island_parkways_collection_fa.pdf
There have been strong criticisms of Moses’ autocratic approach, disregard for existing communities, and alleged racism and classism. Two particular examples involving Long Island’s parkways are recorded in Robert Caro’s biography of Moses, The Power Broker. The original route of the Northern State Parkway was changed to avoid a private golf course and wealthy community that had the economic and political clout to fight back against Moses’ plans. The resulting change of route further south through the land of less influential farmers resulted in a curve in the roadway that was nicknamed “Objectors’ Bend
Charles Lindberg’s first solo, non-stop, transatlantic flight.
Lindberg took off from Roosevelt Field, May 20th, 1927. Roosevelt Field had been a training facility for the US Army Air Service in WW I, and had been the destination for the first aircraft (the British airship R34) to travel across the Atlantic from east to west. At one point in the 1930, it was the busiest commercial airfield in the United States.
https://metroairportnews.com/long-islands-roosevelt-field/
1939 — Long Island Expressway (LIE) Construction Begins
Work began on the LIE starting with the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Construction continued until it reached Riverhead in 1972. Robert Moses, who served as New York City arterial coordinator, argued that a highway connection to the tunnel was not necessary. In 1945, when Moses was given control of the New York City Tunnel Authority and formed the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA), he changed his position on the connection and the TBTA paid for an elevated highway extension.
In Robert Caro’s biography of Moses, he documents that Moses rushed into construction to short-circuit studies of the feasibility of potential mass transit lines along the right of way of the LIE within NYC limits. Plans for rail along the LIE right-of-way in Nassau and Suffolk were also swept away.
http://www.nycroads.com/roads/long-island/
Post WWII — Autos become dominant
Even as the LIRR reaches its peak ridership of nearly 92 million passengers, the development of Long Island becomes more and more focused on cars.
1948 – Fire Island Ferry – Fire Island Ferries began operating in 1948 and serves as a key transportation hyperlink between Long Island and Fire Island across the Great South Bay. Over the years, the agency expanded its operations and fleet, including acquiring other ferry and water taxi services. In 1972, Edward J. Mooney acquired the company and led its growth in becoming Fire Island’s biggest ferry company until his passing in 2020.
Fire Island Ferries, Inc. now services over 1 million people annually, operates 8 routes, connecting various Fire Island communities such as Kismet, Ocean Beach, Saltaire, and Ocean Bay Park.
1952 – Sagtikos State Parkway opens
The Sagtikos State Parkway officially opened in 1952, serving as a critical north-south connector on Long Island. The idea for the parkway dates back to the 1920s, with the goal of linking the Northern State Parkway to the Southern State Parkway. To facilitate construction, the heirs of David Gardiner, the owner of the historic Sagtikos Manor, donated nearly 200 acres of land to the Long Island State Park Commission. Additional land was provided by James Fisher, a nearby resident, ensuring that the necessary right-of-way was available for the parkway's route.
The Sagtikos Parkway was part of the Long Island Regional Park and Parkway Plan, spearheaded by Robert Moses, the influential planner behind much of the island’s parkway system. The road was designed to connect with other major thoroughfares, including the Sunken Meadow State Parkway and Captree State Parkway (now the Robert Moses Causeway).
Construction was funded through a $3 million allocation in 1950, with paving contracts awarded in 1951. The parkway was completed and opened without major public celebration in 1952, but additional upgrades and connections led to its official designation as a completed route in 1958. Over the years, the Sagtikos Parkway has remained a vital transportation corridor, handling 90,000 vehicles per day in some sections. In 2012, it was designated a National Historic Parkway, recognizing its significance in Long Island’s transportation history.
To this day, the parkway continues to face challenges such as narrow shoulders, short acceleration lanes, and low clearance issues, prompting discussions on modernization while preserving its historic character.
https://www.liquisearch.com/sagtikos_state_parkway/history/construction_and_opening
https://lirpc.org/transportation/parkway-upgrade-needed-for-improved-n-s-travel/
1957 – Sunken Meadow Parkway opens
The Sunken Meadow State Parkway was constructed as part of Robert Moses' vision for expanding access to Long Island’s parks. Initially, Sunken Meadow State Park was established in 1928, but it remained relatively inaccessible. By the 1950s, demand for better access to the park had grown, leading to the development of the Sunken Meadow Parkway as an extension of the Sagtikos State Parkway.
The first segment, a 2-mile stretch from the Northern State Parkway to Jericho Turnpike (NY 25), opened on November 29, 1954. The full 7-mile parkway was completed and opened to traffic on April 1, 1957, after an $11 million construction project. The parkway's opening led to a major expansion of Sunken Meadow State Park, which grew to 1,020 acres with additional parking facilities, a cafeteria, an extended boardwalk, and new recreational areas.
The Long Island Parks Commission predicted that Sunken Meadow would become the second most visited park on Long Island after Jones Beach. To accommodate this expected growth, four new parking lots were built, increasing capacity from 3,000 to 7,500 vehicles. The boardwalk was extended from 2,000 feet to 3,700 feet, and a scenic overlook with additional parking for 1,250 cars was constructed.
https://wiki.aaroads.com/wiki/Sunken_Meadow_State_Parkway
1958 — First “Long Island” section of the Long Island Expressway opens in Nassau
In October of 1958, the section of LIE from exit 32 and exit 39 (Glen Cove Road in East Hills) opened to the public. Robert Moses secured land for eastern expansion of the Expressway through Old Westbury. Landowners had successfully prevented the Northern State Parkway from taking a similar path, resulting in “Objector’s Bend”. Part of the agreement to put the LIE through included not allowing interchanges for a 4-mile portion of the highway.
http://www.nycroads.com/roads/long-island/
1960 — Long Island MacArthur Airport
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), located in Ronkonkoma, New York, serves the central Long Island area. Originally built as a military airfield in 1942, it became a commercial airport in 1960. The airport is named after General Douglas MacArthur, who became famous for his escape from the Philippines during World War II. ISP offers both general aviation and commercial airline services, with a significant portion of operations being general aviation.
Over the years, the airport has seen growth, serving over 1.29 million passengers in 2017. It has been a key hub for regional flights, with carriers like Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines offering flights to destinations like Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Chicago. The airport remains a vital transportation option for Long Island, providing services to both commercial and private aviation.
https://northwesternairliness.blogspot.com/2011/12/history-of-long-island-macarthur.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Island_MacArthur_Airport
1965 Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority Purchases the Long Island Railroad
The Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority (MTCA) was created in 1965 by New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller in response to growing concerns about the financial struggles of regional transportation systems. It was set up to oversee and manage the Long Island Railroad, which had been operating under bankruptcy protection for over a decade, and other commuter rail lines in the New York City metropolitan area. Over the next few years, the MCTA expanded its scope, eventually absorbing the New York City Transit Authority (which operated subways and buses) and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (which operated toll bridges and tunnels). This consolidation culminated in March 1968 when the MCTA was renamed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to reflect its broader responsibilities. The MTA continues to manage a wide range of transportation services in the New York metropolitan area, making it one of the largest public transportation providers in the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Transportation_Authority
1969 — Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969 the Apollo 11’s lunar module “Eagle” touched down on the surface of the moon. The Long Island-based Grumman Aerospace (Bethpage), which employed tens of thousands of Long Islanders, manufactured the NASA Lunar Module that safety landed astronauts on the moon.
1972 — LIE Completed
The Long Island Expressway (LIE) was completed in segments, with its first section opening in 1940 as the Queens-Midtown Expressway. By the 1960s, it had expanded into a major route connecting Queens to Long Island's eastern counties. The LIE, a project spearheaded by Robert Moses and the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, aimed to alleviate worsening traffic congestion, and accommodate growing commercial traffic on Long Island. Its completion reached Riverhead on June 28, 1972. The highway, originally designed to handle 80,000 vehicles daily, now sees over 200,000 in some areas.
https://www.longisland.com/articles/05-23-06/long-island-expressway-lie-facts-and-history.html
https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/historical-signs/listings?id=13140
1973 — Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority - In 1973, Nassau County took control of the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority's operations in the county, purchasing assets from private transit companies and partnering with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This partnership led to the creation of the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority (MSBA), an MTA subsidiary. While Nassau County was responsible for funding the operations and capital expenses, the MTA handled the management of the system. In the late 1990s, the MSBA became known as MTA Long Island Bus as part of a broader MTA rebranding. By 2012, due to financial disputes, Nassau County transitioned to a new operator, and the system became part of Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE), operated by Transdev.
https://www.mta.info/about-us/the-mta-network
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nassau_Inter-County_Express
https://cptdb.ca/wiki/index.php?title=MTA_Long_Island_Bus&redirect=no
1974 — Hampton Jitney The concept of the Hampton Jitney was born in 1973 during the energy crisis, sparked by the Arab oil embargo and a gasoline shortage. Jim Davidson, a young entrepreneur living in Water Mill, initially envisioned a service using bikes and small vans to help people get around the Hamptons without relying on cars. The idea evolved when he started offering a regular minivan service between the Hamptons and New York City in 1975. The service proved successful, leading to its expansion, with a second van introduced due to growing demand. Over the years, the service shifted from small vans to larger motor coaches, offering a luxurious and reliable way to travel between the Hamptons and New York City.
https://www.danspapers.com/2014/07/a-history-of-the-hampton-jitney/
https://shop.hamptonjitney.com/pages/history
1977 — Jones Beach Bicycle path - The Jones Beach Bicycle Path, built in 1977, is a scenic and popular route along the southern shore of Long Island. This path stretches up to 10 miles and offers cyclists stunning views of the Great South Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It's designed with a variety of surfaces, including paved paths and boardwalks, providing a safe and scenic ride for cyclists. Notably, the path passes through beautiful coastal environments and beaches where riders can stop to swim or grab a bite. It is part of a larger network that connects various parks, such as Cedar Creek County Park, Jones Beach State Park, and Captree State Park.
https://gothambiketours.com/ocean-parkway-coastal-greenway-jones-beach-bike-path/
1980 — Suffolk County Transit - Formed by the Suffolk Legislature as a consolidation of several bus routes operated by private companies, many of which became contractors to the County, the Suffolk County Transit, began operating in 1980.
The system is responsible for providing critical transportation services throughout Suffolk County, including suburban routes that serve residents traveling for work, shopping, or other activities. Many of these buses are equipped with the latest technology for energy efficiency and passenger comfort. The transit system continues to evolve as it updates its fleet and services in response to growing community needs and environmental considerations.
https://infogalactic.com/info/Suffolk_County_Transit
1991 LIE High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
Construction begins on the Long Island Expressway High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane. The lane is restricted to motorcycles and vehicles with more than one occupant during rush hours.
2005 LIE HOV completed
The final section of the Long Island Expressway is completed. The HOV lanes run between EXIT 32 (Little Neck Parkway) and EXIT 64 (NY 112). They are intended to encourage carpooling. The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane is the last major highway construction project on Long Island. Studies have found that it does provide a quicker commute during rush hour for those who can use it. However, census data does not indicate that carpooling has increased as a result.
http://www.nycroads.com/roads/long-island/
2006 — Clean Pass - In 2006, the state of New York initiated the Clean Pass program, allowing eligible low-emission and ultra-low emission vehicles to use the HOV lane on the Long Island Expressway (LIE), even with just one occupant. This pilot program aimed to promote the adoption of fuel-efficient vehicles and reduce emissions. It was projected to save 6,000 tons of greenhouse gases and over 500,000 gallons of gasoline annually. Vehicles at the time included hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid but has since expanded as more and more automobile manufacturers offer additional qualifying vehicle options. The program was initially evaluated for effectiveness before permanent implementation.
2011 — MTA Tax - A tax imposed on employers and some self-emplyed individuals in counties that are served by the MTA. It proved highly unpopular and was subsequently repealed. • Complete Streets Act - NY York legislature requires State, county and local agencies consider safe and convenient access for all users of streets (including pedestrians, bicyclists, handicapped, etc.) when planning and designing street projects.
2012 — NICE Bus - After years of funding disagreements with the MTA, Nassau County contracts with a private operator to take over bus service in the County. The service was renamed Nassau Inter-County Express - NICE.
2013 — Ocean Beach Parkway Rebuilt – The Ocean Beach Parkway, which was severely damaged during Superstorm Sandy, was rebuilt in time for the summer.
2014 — Vision Zero - Introduced in New York City as a broad, data-driven mandate to tackle traffic fatalities. In the past five years, the city has utilized crash data to identify priority streets and intersections for redesigns, resulting in important successes. This has spurred similar efforts on Long Island and around the Nation.
https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/101-19/mayor-de-blasio-new-vision-zero-action-plan-make-most-dangerous-streets-safer#/0
2016 LI Welcome Center Opens
Operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County, the 15,200 square foot center opened at eastbound Exit 51-52 on the Long Island Expressway. The exterior features pay homage to Long Island’s nautical nature. Inside the LEED-certified building, visitors can find travel inspiration for any Long Island trip, and can grab a snack at the full Taste NY market counter, featuring prepared and refrigerated foods from Long Island purveyors. The center also includes two electric car charging stations, an animal comfort area, and interactive tourism information with suggested destinations based on the user’s interests, from local wineries to beach recommendations.
https://taste.ny.gov/location/long-island-welcome-center
2017 LI Sound Crossing Feasibility Study
High- level feasibility analysis to understand and identify if a Long Island Sound Crossing from the northern shore of Long Island to the northern shore of the Sound could improve the region’s overall transportation network. Study goals included (1) Improve regional mobility and connectivity; (2) Promote economic growth; (3) Minimize adverse environmental impacts; and (4) Develop cost-effective transportation options.
https://www.dot.ny.gov/programs/capitalplan/repository/LI%20Sound%20Report.pdf
2018 — Long Island Railroad Double Track project –
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Double Track project, completed in 2018, added a second track along a 13-mile stretch between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma and carries 48,000 riders a day. This expansion improved service reliability, increased train frequency, and supported economic growth on Long Island. The project, which cost approximately $387.2 million, was a key part of broader MTA infrastructure improvements, helping reduce delays, congestion, and allow for reverse-peak service expansions on the busy corridor.
https://www.amodernli.com/project/doubletrack/
2021 — Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway
A spectacular bike and multi-use trail is extended along the Jones Beach barrier island alongside the Ocean Parkway and connects with the existing bike and multi-use trail.
2022 — LIRR Third Track
Completion of the third track for the LIRR main line between Mineola and Hicksville. The additional track improves frequency of service, reliability, and 'reverse' commuting. https://www.amodernli.com/project/doubletrack/
2023 — East Side Access Completed
The new Grand Central Madison station opened on January 25, 2023. The extension of the Long Island Railroad’s Main Line provides a second terminal in Manhattan for Long Island commuters, removing a subway transfer for many of them. Tunneling of the 63rd Street Tunnel, a double-deck tunnel that is used by both for LIRR East Side Access and subways began in 1969, but was halted due to New York City’s fiscal crisis of 1975. Construction on East Side Access resumed in 2007.
Recent LIRR infrastructure improvements including East Side Access, the Main Line Third Track, and the Ronkonkoma Line Double Track have allowed for a 41% increase in service and significant increases in “reverse peak” travel, trains running from Manhattan to Long Island in the morning and Long Island to Manhattan in the evening.