The MTA board voted unanimously Wednesday to upgrade the Long Island Rail Road and New York?s transit system, a move that may shorten commutes for thousands of Long Island residents.

The upgrades will cost nearly $30 billion over the next five years and will include a third track in Nassau County, a second track to Ronkonkoma, new rail cars, an update of the LIRR?s signaling system and other improvements. Access from some LIRR branches to Grand Central Station will also be completed.

Board member Mitch Pally says the upgrade plan shows the MTA is stepping up to address the concerns of Long Island commuters.

LIRR President Helena Williams says she likes the plan. ?It'll help us provide a safe system, a reliable system and one that is poised to meet the demands of the future," she says.

Much of the money in the budget is contingent upon approval from Albany and Washington, D.C., which has yet to happen.

Click to watch how the plan will affect Long Island buses.