An expansion that would link the Long Island Rail Road to MacArthur Airport took a major step forward.

The Suffolk County Legislature voted Wednesday to start the planning stages with the developer of the proposed Midway Crossing Project.

The proposal would include a hotel, a convention center, and retail and medical offices.

It would also connect the Ronkonkoma LIRR station to MacArthur Airport.

While some in the community say the Midway Crossing Project is a step forward in developing the areas, others are concerned over traffic and other quality-of-life issues.

"By adding more infrastructure - more traffic - that takes away the appeal so the concern is, will people want to live here?," says Matt Miller, of Ronkonkoma.

Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey says most Suffolk legislators are in favor of the project because it will create thousands of jobs.

"This is something that will change that area I think for the better - 10,000 construction jobs just for starters - all local jobs, all union PLA protect jobs, which means a lot," McCaffery says.

The proposed project will take at least 15 years to complete.

Legislators say there will be future public meetings to get residents' input.