After calling on the MTA to make much-needed repairs at several locations along the abandoned Rockaway Beach branch of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), state Senator Joseph Addabbo is looking to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) for additional help in getting the structure restored.
Addabbo sent a letter last week to the DCAS requesting the “immediate repair of the unused LIRR railway stanchions” at several locations throughout the senator’s district. The letter comes on the heels of a press conference the senator held at the intersection of Yellowstone Boulevard and Kessel Street, one of the sites where the stanchions supporting the unused rail line are in disrepair.
The structure is covered in rust and riddled with holes in support beams and may potentially be a danger to drivers and pedestrians.
“I would like to take this opportunity to respectfully request the immediate repair of the unused LIRR railway stanchions located at the intersection of said railway and 95th Street, 101st Avenue, 103rd Avenue and Yellowstone Boulevard,” Addabbo wrote. “Additionally, I also ask that while the stanchions are being restored, the condition and stability of each underpass are inspected.”
The rail was formerly a stop on the LIRR, but has been abandoned since the 60s. Recently, there have been several proposed projects that would make use of the structure again, including reactivating the Rockaway Rail Line or creating a “QueensWay” public park space.
Before any proposal can be taken seriously, Addabbo is calling on city agencies to make sure the structure is safe as it currently stands, with drivers and pedestrians crossing underneath is every day.
Addabbo plans to stay in contact with the MTA and DCAS to work toward hopefully repairing the structure in the near future.
