LIRR cleans up its act in Richmond Hill

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), under fire from Queens civic and political leaders for safety concerns, has taken one step toward improving community relations by cleaning up its act - literally.
According to LIRR spokesperson Sam Zambuto, two articles published by The Courier Sun in the last two months have helped motivate railroad officials to clean up an empty lot beside a Key Food located at 87-25 Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill. The August 3 and September 26 articles focused on the concern surrounding the lot, which began when Simcha Waisman, President of the Richmond Hill Block Association (RHBA), noticed discarded wood, glass, and other potentially dangerous trash in the area.
“It’s unsightly, but it’s also dangerous,” said Waisman at the time.
Dangerous, he explained, because the gate enclosing the lot is usually left open, allowing kids to wander in and possibly get hurt. Even more unsettling, he said, is that direct access to the tracks behind the trash heap makes the site a potential terror target.
LIRR took steps to improve the area by removing about 80 cubic yards of waste, Zambuto said.
“We want to do the best we can to be a good neighbor,” he added.
Leaders are encouraged to see the transportation giant take responsibility for the mess, but feel it is only a first step.
“They could probably do a better job still, and focus on long-term solutions, but they’re coming around,” said Michael Simanowitz, Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn, who has been vocal about LIRR’s need for improvement. “This is more indicative of the kind of neighbor they’ve been in the past. Historically, LIRR has been a good neighbor, and it’s only recently we had run into a deaf ear, so to speak.”
“They did a lot, but there’s more to do,” added Waisman. “It’s still an eyesore.”
Waisman pointed to a nearby maintenance center as an example of where LIRR still falls short.
The maintenance center, at 91st Avenue and 127th Street in Richmond Hill, is unguarded and unlocked, providing direct access to tracks, as well as large fuel tanks. In addition, holes dot the fence along the road.
The center, said Zambuto, is not in service yet, and when it launches in November, a gate will be installed at the entrance.
Waisman, however, remains skeptical.
“Anyone can still walk in and step right onto the tracks, or lay a bomb there,” he said.
Waisman is not alone in his criticism of LIRR. Senator Serph Maltese hosted an open forum on Thursday, October 18 at Christ the King High School to discuss other safety issues associated with the LIRR.
The forum included a panel of political leaders: Maltese, Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer, Senator Tom Libous, Assemblymember Margaret Markey and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
“We want to avert a possible tragedy at a time when we can do something about it,” said Maltese. “We want to bring together all aspects of government to solve this problem.”
The problem, Marshall outlined in her opening remarks, is the series of near-catastrophes that has plagued the LIRR in recent years.
In March 2004, a freight car in Maspeth broke free from the tracks, hitting a number of vehicles and injuring several people. In July of this year, a propane car derailed in Glendale, causing a section of the area to be temporarily evacuated.
“We have to assemble a team of the state’s top engineers to come together and solve this relatively uncomplicated problem,” said Marshall.
Congressmember Anthony Weiner also weighed in on the issue, releasing a statement outlining his support of the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007. The act calls for long-term planning to identify high risk areas, an increase in the number of safety inspectors, the use of new technology and an increase in penalties for safety violations.
But, for all the work left to be done, said Waisman, LIRR must still be acknowledged for its attempts at improvement.
“They did a lot to clean up the [Lefferts Boulevard lot],” he said. “It’s a big improvement.”