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QC04172014

6 THE QUEENS COURIER • APRIL 17, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com 7 TRAIN SUSPENSIONS LIFTED BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com/@aaltamirano28 There is a little light at the end of the tunnel for No. 7 train users. Three weeks after coming face-to-face with the Long Island City community and listening to their concerns about the No. 7 train weekend suspensions, the MTA announced it will keep the line running on May 17 and 18. During the March 27 town hall meeting, community members and business owners asked the transit agency to alter its initial plan because of events such as the LIC Arts Open, LIC Flea & Food and LIC Springs!, a block party along Vernon Boulevard. That same weekend, thousands of New Yorkers and tourists are expected to travel to Flushing Meadows- Corona Park for the 50th and 75th anniversary of the World’s Fair. “Finally the MTA has not only listened to our community on this issue, but taken action,” State Sen. Michael Gianaris said. “LIC Springs! and other events like the LIC Flea and the LIC Arts Open are wonderful displays of how much our neighborhood has to offer, so I appreciate the MTA making it easier to get people here for this one weekend.” The MTA said that the work previously scheduled for the weekend of May 17 and 18 will have to be rescheduled, however won’t increase the number of closures for 2014. Some of the closures will be rescheduled for 2015. “The community spoke and the MTA New York City Transit listened. The No. 7 Line shutdown for needed repairs has caused ongoing hardship for the businesses, residents, cultural organizations and institutions in Long Island City,” said Elizabeth Lusskin, president of the Long Island City Partnership. “That weekend is expected to draw signifi cant numbers of visitors from across Queens — and New York City — to our neighborhood for arts, culture, food and fun.” Although the MTA has agreed to keep the No. 7 line working for the one May weekend, Gianaris wants to continue working with the agency to put an end to all weekend disruptions. “Of course, when everyone wants to come back and enjoy the weekend in Long Island City for the rest of the summer, we’ll run into the same old problem, so I will keep fi ghting until the 7 train actually running on weekends is no longer news,” Gianaris said. The suspensions are expected to be in effect from 2 a.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday between Times Square- 42nd Street and Queensboro Plaza. On some weekends, there will also be reduced or express-only service between 74th Street-Broadway and Queensboro Plaza. The MTA has also released the following additional changes for the No. 7 train suspensions: • May 3-4 will now be shut down between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square-42 Street. • May 31-June 1 will now be shut down between 74 Street-Broadway and Times Square-42 Street. • Sept. 20-21 will now be shut down between 74 Street-Broadway and Times Square-42 Street. • Nov 15-16 will now be a limited service to Queensboro Plaza with no service between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square-42 Street. THE COURIER/File photo I CAN HEAR THE BIRDS AGAIN for our special EDUCATIONAL HEARING SEMINAR PLLC 516.708.4844 107 NORTHERN BLVD, STE 309 GREAT NECK, NY 11021 Helping people improve the quality of their lives through better hearing for over 25 years. Join us gbaudiology.com st Place of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Gloria Boms, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology Wednesday, May 14 10:30am–12:30pm Inn at Great Neck • 30 Cutter Mill Rd Breakfast included! Valet parking available Artist Space Still Available GET YOUR CRAFT ON A ONE DAY EVENT featuring L O aCt AL ILR R A- RB ATYIS ISD ET S APRIL 26 * 12PM-5PM HOSTED by www.baysidevillage.net 718-423-2434 SPONSORED by


QC04172014
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