Brooklyn Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ APPLAUDS PATAKI’S IDEA FOR NEW EAST RIVER TUNNEL CONNECTING BROOKLYN TO LOWER MANHATTAN

“I applaud the Governor for recommending the construction of a new tunnel that will connect the Long Island Rail Road and Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan. The needs of Brooklyn’s transit riders must never be sacrificed for anyone’s sake, let alone for commuters from Long Island. That’s why I agree so strongly with the Governor that the best way to improve access to Lower Manhattan is by improving service for both Brooklynites and Long Island commuters with a new East River tunnel.

I also look forward to the day when this new tunnel establishes a connection to the Second Avenue subway at Hanover Square in Lower Manhattan, while serving Long Island travelers at Jamaica, and enabling the JFK AirTrain to operate directly to both Downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.

With all of the good things underway in Brooklyn - Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Atlantic Yards arena project, the Downtown Plan, the BAM Cultural District and more - Brooklyn’s growing public transit needs must remain at the forefront for policy makers. Improving Brooklyn’s infrastructure will only enhance the future of both Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.”