Courtesy of Elizabeth Crowley’s office
After receiving complaints about sanitary conditions on the Long Island Expressway underpasses on 74th and 80th streets, City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, (D-Middle Village) along with the state Department of Transportation, pledged to clean the area marred by nesting pigeons and debris.
In 2011, after a push from Crowley, spikes were placed underneath the trestles to deter pigeons from congregating. When the problem was not completely eliminated, Crowley called on the DOT to act further, and in recent weeks the agency started installing wooden planks along the underside of the bridges, blocking the areas from birds looking to roost. This is intended to keep debris from the road and sidewalk completely.
“Pedestrians going to and from PS 58, Maspeth High School, Elmhurst Park, Grand Avenue and more walk under these elevated platforms every day. Keeping this underpass clean from pigeon droppings was a constant battle, but once complete, this project will give our residents the clean sidewalks and healthy space they deserve,” Crowley said.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
