MTA to install nets to catch debris
falling from elevated subway line
3
QUEENS WEEKLY, OCTOBER 6, 2019
BY BILL PARRY
Lawmakers in Western
Queens are applauding the
MTA’s plan to spend nearly
$325 million to significantly
expand safety netting on elevated
subway lines as part
of its proposed $51.5 billion
capital plan.
The news was welcomed
in Woodside and Sunnyside
after there were a frightening
number of near-misses
with debris falling from the
No. 7 subway line, in particular,
a notorious event
last February when a long
wooden plank shook free
and pierced the windshield
of an SUV on Roosevelt Avenue,
narrowly missing an
unidentified driver near
65th Street.
Councilman Jimmy
Van Bramer released an
extraordinary photo of the
damage and began a campaign
calling for the MTA
to take action before someone
got seriously injured or
killed.
“I am relieved to see the
MTA allocate $325 million
in its capital plan to install
protective netting under
all elevated subway lines
across New York City,” Van
Bramer said. “This is a huge
win after months of advocating
with the community
for improvements along the
7 train. The MTA’s capital
plan is outlined for the next
five years, but we must keep
up the pressure to ensure
that the netting is put up as
soon as possible.”
And it wasn’t just the
wooden plank incident that
scared motorists and pedestrians
along Roosevelt
Avenue. Chunks of metal
have fallen smashing windshields
and several times
people walking near the
52nd Street station have
nearly been struck by falling
debris.
“After at least seven
consecutive incidents of
dangerous falling debris,
this situation still must be
treated with urgent care
until the safety of all New
Yorkers is guaranteed. We
are incredibly lucky that
no one has been injured or
killed so far.”
The MTA was unable to
provide a timeline as they
are awaiting of an evaluation
of a pilot program in which
knotless nylon netting of
high tenacity nylon and polypropylene
mesh is installed.
The agency is also reviewing
and analyzing data from the
Chicago Transit Authority,
and will then determine if
and how it can be applied to
the MTA system.
“Safety is the top priority
at NYC Transit, and we
continually review our system
to find ways it can be
enhanced and improved,”
an MTA spokesman said.
“Increasing netting on elevated
structures is just one
of our efforts.”
Councilman Costa
Constantinides has been
calling for protective
netting to be installed
under the entirety of the
elevated N/W line in Astoria
since August when
a heavy metal flashlight
fell from a construction
project and nearly struck
a pedestrian. He said
he regularly hears complaints
and reads tweets
from Astoria residents
about debris falling onto
31st Street from construction
or track maintenance
above.
“I’m glad to see the MTA
finally recognizes that pedestrians
and cyclists are
at risk anytime they cross
the street of ride under the
elevated track,” Constantinides
said. “Flashlights
shouldn’t fall from the sky
and nearly hit someone in
the head — but that’s exactly
what happened here
in Astoria this summer.
I hope the MTA will be a
good community partner
by installing protective netting
under the entirety of
the N/W elevated track in
Astoria.”
Reach reporter Bill
Parry by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4538.
Elected officials in western Queens are pleased that the MTA plans to do something about the debris falling from elevated
subway tracks. Courtesy of Van Bramer’s office
/schnepsmedia.com
