The Trust for Public Land, Friends of the QueensWay Support Interborough Express and QueensWay to Connect Queens
The Trust for Public Land and Friends of the QueensWay announce their support for Governor Kathy Hochul’s plan to expand the use of an active freight rail line corridor to include passenger service on a new public transit line connecting southern Brooklyn and Queens to be called the Interborough Express. Building commuter rail on an already active corridor minimizes construction costs and environmental issues while expanding transit options.
The Interborough Express, together with opportunities for active transportation such as the proposed QueensWay project and a full greenway network, would be instrumental in improving commuting and transportation connection between neighborhoods, while also offering much needed green space for residents to enjoy and safe routes to schools, parks, and jobs.
The QueensWay would turn a 3.5-mile abandoned railway corridor into a pedestrian and bicycle pathway to connect the communities of Rego Park, Forest Hills, Richmond Hill, Glendale, Woodhaven, and Ozone Park to Forest Park and 12 schools. This would provide much needed public green space, recreation areas, opportunities for safe alternative commuting, and community spaces to celebrate the cultural diversity of Queens.
“Queens residents should have a full range of transportation options – including safe walking and biking, buses, and transit – and these two projects address those needs,” said Carter Strickland, VP of the Mid-Atlantic Region and New York State Director for The Trust for Public Land. “We’re proud to support the Governor’s proposal and hope to see continued efforts to build a healthier, safer city.”
“As an organization of Queens residents dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life in the borough, Friends of the QueensWay applauds Governor Hochul for her vision of the Interborough Express,” said Travis Terry, Friends of the QueensWay Steering Committee Member. “This project has our full support and – when combined with the QueensWay – will dramatically improve mobility, connect communities, generate economic activity and improve the environment in our home borough.”
About The Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live within a 10-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org.
