Res. No. 656
Resolution calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to initiate a capital project to construct a deck over portions of the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch open cut between Flushing and Murray Hill, Queens, to create usable space and improve neighborhood connectivity
By Council Member Ung
Whereas, The Long Island Rail Road Company (“LIRR”), a public benefit corporation subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”), operates its Port Washington Branch through the Flushing and Murray Hill neighborhoods of Queens; and
Whereas, According to the New York City (“NYC”) Department of City Planning (“DCP”), the LIRR Port Washington Branch runs in part through a below-grade, open-air railroad trench, commonly referred to as an “open cut,” extending about 4,100 feet and encompassing about 4.35 acres, approximately between Union Street and Murray Street; and
Whereas, The open cut, which is about 50 feet wide, runs alongside residential properties, and creates a physical division between portions of Flushing and Murray Hill, limiting neighborhood connectivity in communities that have experienced substantial residential and commercial growth; and
Whereas, The overpasses along the LIRR branch have also presented longstanding quality-of-life and maintenance concerns, including illegal dumping, and recurring snow and ice accumulation; and
Whereas, DCP previously evaluated the LIRR Port Washington Branch open cut as a potential decking site, finding that structural supports could be built and that construction of a linear park is possible, though engineering considerations, such as ventilation, security, emergency access, light and air, topography, and impacts on adjacent properties, would need to be addressed; and
Whereas, Decking portions of the open cut could reclaim space above the tracks for public use, providing opportunities for a linear park, landscaping, pedestrian paths, recreational space, and improved connections between communities; and
Whereas, The Murray Hill commercial district, surrounding the LIRR station, contains many restaurants and other small businesses, and, according to a Commercial District Needs Assessment conducted by the NYC Department of Small Business Services, continues to face transportation and parking challenges; and
Whereas, The Murray Hill Merchants Association has previously proposed constructing municipal parking above the LIRR tracks between 149th Street and 149th Place; and
Whereas, Queens Community Board 7 has similarly identified a need for additional parking facilities around Downtown Flushing to reduce congestion caused by motorists searching for parking and to support residents, commuters, and businesses; and
Whereas, A coordinated decking project could more efficiently utilize the existing transportation infrastructure by turning it into community infrastructure that provides new public open space, improves neighborhood connectivity, supports local businesses, and improves parking infrastructure; and
Whereas, To build on NYC DCP’s prior study regarding decking the open cut, the MTA and LIRR should undertake an updated analysis, and advance the project through the MTA capital planning process, in consultation with relevant City agencies and the surrounding community; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to initiate a capital project to construct a deck over portions of the Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch open cut between Flushing and Murray Hill, Queens, to create usable space and improve neighborhood connectivity.
KK
LS 26342
9/18/26