APRIL 22, 2022 WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES
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Electeds call on state to address local concerns regarding Interborough Express
BY JULIA MORO
EDITORIALQNS.COM
QNS
Queens elected o cials sent a letter
to Governor Kathy Hochul and the
Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey, asking them to address local concerns
around the Maspeth, Middle Village,
Ridgewood and Glendale areas regarding
the Interborough Express Rail.
Hochul announced the proposal for the
Interborough Express Rail, which would
connect Queens and Brooklyn, during the
State of the State address in January. The
idea is touted as a way to increase access
to transportation and make commuting
and traveling through the outer boroughs
easier.
However, locals in the Community
Board 5 district are concerned by the potential
noise and tra c this would bring to
an area already overwhelmed with freight
cars. The rail would go right through the
Ridgewood, Middle Village and Maspeth
areas — which have been dealing with excessive
noise from the New York & Atlantic
Railway Co. (NYA) rail at all hours of the
night, among other issues.
Congresswoman Grace Meng is leading
the e ort calling on the state to respond to
the concerns of these locals. Other electeds
named in the letter include state Senator
Joe Addabbo, Councilman Bob Holden and
Assembly members Cathy Nolan, Andrew
Hevesi and Brian Barnwell.
The Queens elected o cials wrote the
letter following the announcement that
Port Authority will resume the environmental
study for the Cross Harbor Freight
Program, which was halted during the
COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand the signifi cance of these
projects as well as the potential benefi ts
they may provide to our city, including decongesting
our streets, expanding public
transit and reducing carbon emissions,”
the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “But
without prioritizing noise mitigation,
these projects may prove detrimental to
the health and quality of life of the surrounding
communities.”
Residents near Mafera Park, and especially
on Edsall Avenue in Glendale, have
already been battling excessive noise from
freight lines for years now. They claim that
trains currently come by at odd hours of
the night, blaring horns and slamming
freight cars together. This creates incredible
noise and shaking that some say is
ruining the foundations of their homes.
Luis Ross lives 40 feet from the tracks
on Edsall Avenue and said the noise, along
with the deteriorating conditions of his
street due to the rail line, have seriously
impacted his quality of life.
“We can’t sleep. Me and my wife were
going to stay in a hotel one time because it
was a ecting my heart,” Ross said. “We’re
tired. We either have to move out or tell
somebody about this.”
As residents still struggle with the noise
from NYA lines, another freight rail running
through the neighborhood could only
exacerbate the problem.
“The Cross Harbor Freight Program and
Interborough Express would drastically
increase the train tra c through those
already a ected neighborhoods,” said the
letter. “We must make sure they are built
in a way that does not overburden and hurt
the communities closest to these projects.”
The MTA’s Interborough Express is expected
to be a blend of commuter railroads
and the city’s subway train cars. O cials
are still deciding whether or not to have a
conventional rail, light rail or a bus rapid
transit system.
Along the proposed 14-mile route, the
train would pass by 17 existing subway
stations.
Neither the governor’s o ce nor the
Port Authority immediately responded
to QNS’ request for comment.
A rendering of an Interborough Express stop on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens
Rendering courtesy of MTA
In partnership with the Maspeth Kiwanis Club, Assembly Member
Brian Barnwell & Council Member Robert Holden.
/WWW.QNS.COM
