Investment In Infrastructure To Spur Economic Growth, Jobs: Cuomo

LONG ISLAND, NY — With New Yorkers still battling the coronavirus war, Gov. Andrew Cuomo continued to outline his proposed path to victory and post-pandemic reconstruction Thursday.

During his fourth "2021 State of the State" address —Cuomo has also outlined legalization of recreational marijuana and online betting; bringing back the arts, and a new green energy plan — the governor pointed to investment in infrastructure as an economic boon.

Cuomo's sweeping $306 billion infrastructure plan includes plans for every corner of the state, including the redevelopment of midtown west in Manhattan, revamping the Port Authority and Penn Station — where he plans enhanced track capacity — and focusing energy on infusing airports with new life.

For Long Islanders, those plans include a new East End gateway entrance to the Long Island Rail Road on 33rd Street and 7th Avenue.

In other news for Long Island, Cuomo mentioned the complete overhaul of the Bay Park wastewater treatment plant in East Rockaway, with a new $19.6 million biological nutrient removal system that will put an end to the "dumping of sewage and pollution into western bays."

Cuomo also said work continues on the $2.6 billion Long Island Rail Road Third Track project, or the LIRR Enhancement project; plans include a third track that will run along the current two tracks between Floral Park and Hicksville. That project is slated for completion in 2022, Cuomo said. The new LIRR line will be able to enter the Moynihan Train Hall and Penn Station, he said.

Cuomo highlighted the new Center for Bioelectronic Medicine at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in Manhasset as a Long Island achievement.

Cuomo discussed how investment in infrastructure has long been a tenet of rebirth in the nation but said in past years, the United States has fallen behind other countries in advancement. "Once a world leader, this country has lost its vision and political willpower to build boldly and bravely," he said. "We chose to kick the can down the road, a road crumbling before our eyes."

New York, however, has taken a different path, he said, seizing the reduction in traffic during the pandemic to accelerate infrastructure projects such as the new terminal at LaGuardia Airport, Penn Station's new Moynihan Train Hall, and the new 750-mile Empire State Trail extending from New York City to Canada, among other projects statewide.

He added that he looks forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden. "New York's capacity and federal resources can be a potent combination and now is the exact time to do it," he said.

Investments in infrastructure are taking place at a time when interest rates are low and New Yorkers are looking for work, Cuomo said. "As we continue to battle the COVID beast, we will learn from the past as we move forward," he said. New infrastructure not only means investment in the future but inspires confidence among residents, he said.

"We do believe New York is the greatest place in the world, not because of our tall buildings or our long bridges, but because of the bridges we build from house to house and from person to person. There is nothing that we can't overcome and there is nothing we can't do together," Cuomo said.