Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy announced the fiscal year 2005 Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by both houses of Congress contained $2.5 million for Nassau County transportation improvements.

The bill earmarked $1.5 million for the Nassau HUB Improvement Program and $1 million for the county to replace aging buses with modern natural gas propulsion buses that reduce air pollution.

"Each year, getting from one place to another in Nassau County gets more and more difficult," McCarthy said. "This funding will help, in both the long- and short-term, improve the county's transportation infrastructure."

Proposed improvements for the Hub include roadwork, fixed guideway systems, a possible light rail system, new parking facilities, pedestrian and bicycle pathways, enhanced signage and signal systems, and a railroad station to provide access to the Hub for commuters using the Long Island Rail Road. These improvements will significantly help commuters, business-owners and residents of this area so important to Nassau County's economy and culture.

The development of more efficient traffic patterns and transportation alternatives for the Hub is critical to the county's economic viability and its ability to accommodate an ever-growing population. Without proper planning traffic will continue to increase, creating additional congestion, greater demand for parking and eventually disrupting the area's economy. Historically the Hub has been defined as the three-square-mile area, bounded by Old Country Road on the north, Hempstead Turnpike on the south, Clinton Road on the west and Merrick Road on the east.

"The improvements to the Hub will ease traffic congestion and allow for new economic opportunity for new and existing Nassau County businesses," McCarthy continued.

As Nassau County's population continues to grow, the need for efficient, reliable and environmentally sound public transportation is essential to mitigating congestion and maintaining the quality of life for residents. Nassau County/Long Island Bus service plays a key role in accommodating this need.

The county operates a growing fixed route system and the replacement buses will take the place of that portion of the peak fleet that will be reaching the end of their useful life. All new buses will be equipped with environmentally sound compressed natural gas propulsion.

"A clean, reliable public transportation system allows county residents transportation options that will help reduce travel times and keep employers and employees from taking their businesses and skills off Long Island," McCarthy said.