What is the QueensLink?

Governor Kathy Hochul announced her support for the interborough express leaving many to wonder what is next? Surprisingly a proposal is gaining speed which is calling for the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Branch and simultaneously pushing for the creation of new park land. The QueensLink is this project and its supporters are growing by the day. To understand the QueensLink you must understand the history of the Rockaway Beach Branch. In the mid 1900’s southern Queens had a LIRR line. It ran from 63rd Dr in Rego Park south to Liberty Ave in Ozone Park before crossing Jamaica Bay to the Rockaways. In 1952 there was a fire on the trestle running over Jamaica Bay and the LIRR decided to end service. The LIRR sold the rail to the City of New York so that it could be rebuilt for subway service. Plans had existed since the 1930s to convert the LIRR to subway but because of limited capacity on the Queens Blvd Subway the city chose to only connect the southern section via the A train. The Rockaway Beach Branch was fully abandoned in 1962.

The QueensLink would reroute the M train south along a new 3.5-mile extension south along the border of Rego Park and Forest Hills, then through Forest Park, Woodhaven, and Ozone Park before connecting to the existing A train to Rockaway Park. The QueensLink also proposes creating up to 33 acres of new parks that comes with more bike lanes. According to the MTA Feasibility Study released in 2019 it determined that the QueensLink will transport 50,000 commuters a day, 1.8 Million commuters a year.

It is well known many parts of Queens still remains a 'Transit Desert' and the QueensLink provides a realistic solution. According to the QueensLink Corridor Analysis,a study commissioned by QueensRail Corp. and released in June of 2021, showed that the QueensLink could raise property value up to $75 Billion and personal income up to $13 Billion. The QueensLink is a 21st century modern rail, this would be the first of its kind in New York City. Many cities in the United States have already adopted rail and trail combinations in their transportation systems. The MARTA in Atlanta has their trains with park spaces and the BART in San Francisco has many areas with rail and trails as well.

In a post pandemic world where will Queens stand? Will we be leading New York City in the push for 21st century transit or will we stand idly by? The QueensLink is a 21st century solution and it is within reach. This proposal could inspire others like it and possibly inspire a transportation revolution. If you would like to learn more visit the QueensLink.org, or join a virtual town hall on the QueensLink. To register for the town hall on January 26 visit this link, Queensny.org/QueensLink.

Jonathan Lazo