 On April 16, 2019, New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele announced that funding to design improvements on the Montauk Branch would likely be included in the 2019-2020 state budget.The funding would be used by the LIRR to design three passing sidings to be installed on the line in single-track territory between Speonk and Montauk.The installation of passing sidings would allow for increased service on the South Fork Commuter Connection.