26 The Queens Courier • DECEMBER 5, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com $50 million to protect HB from storms BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected] Howard Beach homes will now be protected, starting at the coast. Spring Creek and Jamaica Bay will undergo a multi-million dollar resiliency project that Governor Andrew Cuomo said will better protect homes and businesses from destructive storms. “Like several other communities located by the water, Howard Beach suffered incredible damage from storm surges during Sandy,” Cuomo said. “To strengthen Howard Beach against future flooding and storms, we are moving forward on a major project that improves the natural infrastructure along Spring Creek and the Jamaica Bay coast, with the approval of federal funding.” About 3,000 homes were damaged during Sandy in the low-lying community. Roughly $50 million will go towards engineering, designing and executing this project, which will cover 150 acres. Excavation, re-contouring and re-vegetation will be implemented by the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to create a self-sustaining system of wavedampening barriers intended to reduce storm damage. “Addressing the flooding problem in Howard Beach is long overdue,” said State Senator Joseph Addabbo. “A project like this cannot happen fast enough.” Low and high level vegetated salt marshes, as well as dunes and elevated grasslands will be used to protect the community against future storm surges, similar to the floodwaters experienced during Sandy, and a rise in sea level. About 765,000 cubic yards of material will be dug up across the site and reshaped into an elevated area, and 40,000 cubic yards of sand will be imported PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO A new resiliency project is intended to protect Howard Beach from future storm surges. and spread across the site. “I am most interested in the timeframe of this major project, since flood mitigation is a serious concern for my constituents, and the scope of this project is to ensure all parts of Howard Beach, inclusive of New and Old Howard, as well as Hamilton Beach,” Addabbo said. Mitigation will be done along the eastern shore of Spring Creek on the north shore of Jamaica Bay. The site is bound by the Belt Parkway to the north and a series of roadways to the southeast, including 78th Street, 161st Avenue, 83rd Street, 165th Avenue and Cross Bay Boulevard. It comprises the western and southern perimeter of Howard Beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TLC A new satellite enforcement facility will monitor illegal vehicles attempting to make pick-ups at JFK Airport. Eyes on the road at JFK BY MAGIE HAYES [email protected] The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) will now have eyes everywhere at John F. Kennedy International (JFK) Airport. The TLC and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) unveiled a new satellite enforcement facility at JFK to consistently monitor any illegal “hustler” vehicles trying to pick up passengers. “The TLC’s increased vigilance will help protect passengers at JFK Airport by reducing the chances they may unwittingly accept a ride from a fraudulent and potentially unsafe driver pretending to be a legitimate taxi operator,” said Joseph Dunne, Port Chief Security Officer. Ten to 15 TLC inspectors and supervisors will be at the site during enforcement operations. At LaGuardia Airport, officials have made 192 seizures of illegal vehicles. Since July, there has been more than 800 hustler seizures. “JFK is an exceptionally active transportation hub,” said David Yassky, TLC Commissioner and Chair. “It is a magnet for illegal forhire activity. It’s very natural for us to be here and have a permanent home at JFK.” Wishing everybody a Happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season Happy Hanukkah Merry Christmas CONGRESSWOMAN GRACE MENG Paid for and authorized by Grace For New York st of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com Place
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