A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Philip Ramos (D-Central Islip) to stop the construction of the Long Island Truck-Rail Inter Modal Facility passed the Assembly (A.9870-A). The bill would halt the Department of Transportation’s plan to build the LITRIM facility in Brentwood.

“It was the stated intent of the 1987 law that created the preserve to annex certain hospital lands as part of Oak Brush,” Ramos said. “This important piece of legislation will now fulfill that promise.”

Ramos’ bill transfers the Pilgrim State Hospital land slated for the truck facility to the adjacent Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve. The Department of Transportation earmarked the surplus hospital property for the LITRIM project to reduce long haul truck traffic on Long Island roads. Subsequent commercial development, however, has since crowded local streets. As proposed, the LITRIM project would add traffic problems and pollution.

“I find it unconscionable that the DOT would move forward with this massive project which would so dramatically change the character of a community without local support,” said Ramos. “And that’s why I’ve fought hard to make sure this bill becomes law, because for too long our community’s concerns have fallen on deaf ears. Preserving and enhancing our community’s quality of life has always been a top priority for me,” Ramos concluded.

The legislation has passed the state senate and will now be sent to the governor for his signature.