MysteriousBtrain Posted January 15, 2016 Share #1 Posted January 15, 2016 The Long Island Rail Road is coming back to Elmhurst in the near future to help local residents get to and from the city in a more convenient way. The reopening of the Elmhurst LIRR station, located on Broadway between Cornish and Whitney avenues, has been a goal of U.S. Reps. Joe Crowley (D-Queens), Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) since 2012. The station was shut down in 1985 because of the lack of usage. The elected officials had written letters to the LIRR president, held walk-throughs and conducted a ridership survey to get the process moving along, and it appears to have worked. The Metropolitan Transit Authority’s 2015-2019 Capital Program, which includes $40 million and reconstructing the Elmhurst LIRR station, was approved in November 2015. The first letter to the NYS Department of Transportation Commissioner and MTA Capital Program Review Board Chair Joan McDonald was to discuss the reopening and speak about how vitally important it is to ensure greater transportation options in the area. Crowley and Dromm initially wanted to reopen the LIRR station in January of 2012, which they both explained would not only create improved access to Midtown Manhattan, but also help create jobs in Elmhurst as well. Both elected officials led a walking tour of the site with officials from MTA to further explore the possibility of reopening the station in March of 2012. This was followed by a town hall with residents about a month later to discuss transportation issues within the community. According to the 2010 Census, “Elmhurst is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country, a trend that will likely continue in the near future as the community continues to grow.” The ridership survey was then conducted in June of 2013. There were two components of the survey, a written version and the other was in person with sites located at nearby subway stations and areas surrounding Elmhurst Hospital Center. Both of them contained questions about what means of transportation residents use at the time, their travel frequency, their mode of choice and how they might avail themselves of LIRR service. “This survey will be very important in helping us determine if there is sufficient demand in the Elmhurst community to consider reopening the station,” said Helena Williams, LIRR President, during the time of the ridership survey. “We urge residents to take a few minutes to fill it out. There are many issues that need to be carefully evaluated as part of this process but this is an important first step.” Following the ridership survey came the funding. Crowley, Meng and Dromm released a statement following the release of the MTA’s Capital Program. “Restoring LIRR service to Elmhurst will help a burgeoning neighborhood reach its full economic potential and become a destination for all New Yorkers,” said Crowley, Meng and Dromm. “We are thrilled to learn the MTA agrees that investing in this community is a win-win and that they have included critical funding to rebuild the station in their recently proposed capital budget. For years, Elmhurst residents have called for greater transportation options and we are now one step closer to turning this idea into a reality. We will continue to work with MTA officials to ensure this project remains a top priority and look forward to the day when Elmhurst will be the next stop for millions of New Yorkers.” “We have budgeted $30.5 million for the design and construction of a new LIRR station at Elmhurst,” said Aaron Donovan, spokesperson for the MTA. “It would include two new 12-car-long platforms along with staircases, platform railings, platform shelters, ticket vending machines, as well as lighting, communication and security systems. The station will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, with elevators. The funding includes environmental review, design and construction.” “For Elmhurst, one of Queens’ most vibrant and fastest-growing communities, the reopening of its LIRR station will be transformational,” said Crowley. “I applaud the MTA Board for approving the project as part of its 2015-19 capital program and I thank both Congresswoman Grace Meng and Council Member Daniel Dromm for their roles in helping to make this a reality. After years of advocating for this new station, the MTA Board approval means we are yet one step closer to not only ensuring local residents have the transportation options they deserve but also making sure Elmhurst lives up to its full economic potential.” Source: http://queenstribune.com/mta-will-fund-new-elmhurst-lirr-station/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkmatechamp13 Posted January 16, 2016 Share #2 Posted January 16, 2016 Good for them. I'm sure it'll help a lot of workers/patients at the hospital (and the malls on Queens Blvd for that matter), as well as reverse-commuters heading out to Long Island (as well as the few residents who want a quick alternative to the subway to Manhattan). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTA Bus Posted January 16, 2016 Share #3 Posted January 16, 2016 It's good to see the MTA offer more transit options, especially along the QB Line. Those people are going to need it with all of this CBTC work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtehpanda Posted January 17, 2016 Share #4 Posted January 17, 2016 After this, they should reopen the old Corona station on National St. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LIRR 154 Posted January 18, 2016 Share #5 Posted January 18, 2016 Corona ? Forget it.. There isn't no demand there to pay RR fares where the 7 train is cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkmatechamp13 Posted January 18, 2016 Share #6 Posted January 18, 2016 Corona ? Forget it.. There isn't no demand there to pay RR fares where the 7 train is cheaper. By that logic, the LIRR shouldn't stop in ENY, and Metro-North shouldn't stop in the South Bronx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordsaitamaboss Posted January 18, 2016 Share #7 Posted January 18, 2016 By that logic, the LIRR shouldn't stop in ENY, and Metro-North shouldn't stop in the South Bronx. Nope unlike the south bronx stations that duplicate the and Bx41 SBS and have no meaningful connections to other trains. The ENY station has links to the without ENY those going to areas on the and would have to transfer at nostrand to an unpredictable which would significantly add to travel time for those that need the or without sitting though those stops in queens. The unlike the isn't slow or bogged down with a ton of stops. Plus the lexington lines are easy to catch from 125th and bx41 SBS from fordham is a quick bus melrose and tremont would only add unnecessary time to many people's trips the south bronx stations are burdening more than they are helping and unlike ENY offer no meaningful links to the subway network and in addition has a SBS and a subway nearby along the same direction. Corona ? Forget it.. There isn't no demand there to pay RR fares where the 7 train is cheaper. It would only add time to people's trips let em use the to flushing for LIRR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtehpanda Posted January 18, 2016 Share #8 Posted January 18, 2016 Corona ? Forget it.. There isn't no demand there to pay RR fares where the 7 train is cheaper. I mean, they're opening a Elmhurst station when both the subway and the Chinatown vans are cheaper. The is way overcrowded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordsaitamaboss Posted January 19, 2016 Share #9 Posted January 19, 2016 I mean, they're opening a Elmhurst station when both the subway and the Chinatown vans are cheaper. The is way overcrowded. corona is not needed it would only hinder many of the LI and eastern queens riders. Some stations need to be closed there are too many stops as it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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