New York State will invest $150 million to connect Long Island MacArthur Airport to the Long Island Rail Road’s Ronkonkoma Station, enabling direct pedestrian access between air and rail travel for Suffolk County residents. The funding supports construction of a pedestrian corridor, upgraded road networks, and other supporting infrastructure to accelerate development of the airport’s planned North Terminal.
The $150 million commitment supplements a prior $40 million allocation from 2022 for terminal development. The Town of Islip, which owns and operates the airport, and Suffolk County will contribute at least $50 million toward related infrastructure. Combined, the investments aim to transform the area into a regional transportation hub in Long Island.
The project also involves the purchase and development of a 48-acre parcel between the current terminal and train station. Officials anticipate that integrating rail and airport access will reduce car traffic, improve travel convenience, and unlock adjacent land for mixed-use development.
MacArthur Airport currently serves around 1.6 million passengers annually and operates both commercial and general aviation flights. The planned terminal relocation adjacent to the train station will enable passengers to walk directly from rail to gate, eliminating the need for shuttle transfers.
While a detailed construction schedule has not been released, state and county officials have indicated that implementation will begin as quickly as possible.