Suffolk announces MTA land deal for possible rail upgrades

Suffolk County announced a Land Bank transaction for former Lawrence Aviation property in Port Jefferson Station that could give the Metropolitan Transportation Authority land to consider for future Long Island Rail Road Port Jefferson Branch improvements. The announcement does not establish that the sale has closed, and the reported size of the parcel differs.

The county said on Sept. 30, 2026, that the Land Bank would close on a sale of approximately 40 acres to the MTA. News 12 Long Island reported that the MTA purchased 46 acres, while TBR News Media reported a 46-acre deal and said the MTA had agreed to purchase the land. TBR also reported a $10 price. The county announcement described the parcel as approximately 40 acres and did not state a price.

Rail improvements remain at planning stage

A rail yard is one possible future use, News 12 reported, but it is not an approved construction project. The outlet reported that electrification, double-tracking and other major infrastructure improvements do not have approved plans or funding. It also reported that the MTA capital plan includes a study of possible Port Jefferson Branch improvements. TBR identified planning as a next step and reported Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay’s assessment that the study could be years away from beginning.

MTA Board Member Marc Herbst told News 12 the site could be useful for storing trains if service or capacity expanded. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Daniel Panico urged the MTA and LIRR to invest in planning and construction, TBR reported. County Executive Ed Romaine expressed concern about the lack of funding for planning and development, according to TBR.

Part of the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway crosses the parcel. TBR reported that a future rail-yard plan could require moving the trail and that Brookhaven would be obligated to accept a relocated greenway. No relocation is established as an approved action.

Separate solar transaction also announced

The county also described a separate closing involving approximately 40 additional acres for solar development; its completion has not been confirmed. The county says Lawrence Aviation Industries began manufacturing at the site in the late 1950s and that the property was added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List in 2000.