FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com AUGUST 11, 2016 • The Queens Courier 11 After a construction do-over, a bridge over the railroad tracks in Flushing is finally reopened By Suzanne Monteverdi editorial@qns.com @QNS The 149th Street Bridge over the Long Island Rail Road tracks in Flushing has reopened at last. Residents, local business owners and politicians gathered on the morning of Aug. 4 to celebrate the completion of the bridge’s reconstruction. The original bridge was demolished in 2010. A new bridge was completed in 2012, but had to be torn down and rebuilt after the DOT discovered the structure was faulty and unsafe for travel. Because of this street and roadway closure, business patrons and local residents had difficulty finding parking and commuting between the two areas. There was also economic difficulty for local merchants, according to state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “The local merchants here have been suffering for the Local politicians, civic leaders and business owners cut the ceremonial ribbon over the newly reopened 149th Street Bridge. past six years. And in fact, some went out of business,” she said. “Over the past six years due to the delayed 149th Street bridge reconstruction, there was an enormous damage to the minority-owned small businesses nearby,” Murray Hill Merchants Association President Young Hwan Kim added. “However, Senator Toby Stavisky and her staff actively fought for this long neglected neck of woods and finally brought to the opening of bridge with help of DOT. We merchants Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi deeply appreciate for her all endeavors.” Stavisky, Assemblyman Ron Kim, Councilman Peter Kooand local civic groups worked closely with the DOT to expedite construction. Stavisky also contended that the reopening of the bridge had a positive “psychological impact” on the community. “We are one county. And the bridge was between different parts of Queens,” Stavisky said. “People have to be able to come across, to work with each other.” “It is inconceivable that the bridge was closed for over six years. This is only a small road,” Koo said. “Today, we are here to celebrate the reopening. Finally, the city, the DOT, did something right.” “Reopening the 149th Street bridge puts it back on the map for pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists,” said DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia. “By restoring all access to this important north-south connection in the Murray Hill transportation network, we are making it easier for residents to get to their homes, students and seniors to meet friends and customers to visit local businesses.” Great rates like ours are always in season. 1.25% 18-Month CD APY1 $5,000 minimum deposit To qualify you must open a Flushing Bank Complete Checking Plus account. Get the complete access and control you desire with a competitive interest rate and banking on-the-go with our Flushing Bank Mobile2 app. For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. 1 New money only. APY effective July 5, 2016. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. A new Complete Checking Plus account with a $5,000 minimum initial deposit is required to receive the CD with the advertised rate. Certain fees and restrictions may apply. For new IRA and rollover accounts, the minimum deposit balance is $5,000. A new checking account is not required for IRA accounts. Speak with a Flushing Bank representative for more details. 2 Flushing Bank Mobile Banking is available to all Flushing Bank online banking users. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
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