Plan To Restore Old Queens Rail Line Divides Supporters
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
An abandoned rail line in Queens has sparked debate as some residents are now pushing for its restoration as a transit link while others would like to see it become a park. NY1's Roger Clark filed the following report.It's hard to believe trains once roared down a now-overgrown set of tracks in the Glendale section of Queens. However, local State Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder envisions them rolling through once again.
"In Rockaway and Southern Queens, we live next to the busiest airport in the world and with the proposed plan for a convention center this is the opportunity to take a look at our infrastructure and really do the best we can to improve our commutes," said Goldfeder.
Goldfeder would like to see the old Rockaway Beach Branch of the Long Island Rail Road brought back. At one time it ran from Rego Park out to the Rockaways, but service ended in 1962. Since then it has remained abandoned, the land owned by the city. Supporters say a growing population in the area and Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan for a giant convention center at the Aqueduct Racino are reasons to bring back the line.
"To make the development of Aqueduct feasible as the governor envisions, requires massive mass transit improvements. This would be ideal because the right of way is here," said Mass Transit Advocate Vince Castellano.
Meanwhile, there are some community leaders in Queens who are opposed to reactivating the Rockaway Branch and would like to see it turned into a park, similar to the High Line in Manhattan.
"We are in partnership with Trust For Public Land, and they have already committed to funding a feasibility study," said Community Board 9 Chairperson Andrea Crawford.
The study, if conducted, would determine whether a 3.5 mile greenway between Rego Park and Ozone Park could become a reality.
"It's a great idea, the High Line was a great idea," said one Queens resident.
"The High Line is nice in the city, so maybe that would be a way to go," said another Queens resident.
Castellano, though, says bringing back rail service is the way to go.
"This has extremely valuable alternate uses. It's not as if we need this as a park. Would it be nice? Yes. Is it necessary? No," said Castellano.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it hasn't seen any proposals for the line yet but is open to improving transit access to the convention center site, depending on what it would cost.