LIRR To Conduct Surveys About Reopening Elmhurst Staion
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - The Long Island Rail Road's Elmhurst station closed in 1985, when ridership was measured in the dozens, but the railroad thinks there might be a reason to reopen it.
LIRR President Helena Williams said there's been early enthusiasm for the project, which would cost an estimated $30 million, but they want that yearning down in black and white.
LIRR To Conduct Surveys About Reopening Elmhurst Staion
So surveys will arrive in the neighborhood mailboxes in early July. It will be in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
"We need evidence that there's true ridership," Williams said
Williams said adding a new station to the Port Washington Line would not slow service, especially with improvements being made already.
"One, because of a pocket track in Great Neck and two, with track extensions in Port Washington. We will have sufficient train equipment," she told WCBS 880's Paul Murnane, adding that there will be sufficient distance between stations to keep trains moving at a constant speed.
Rep. Grace Meng said it's a good fit for a vibrant neighborhood.
"I went to ribbon cuttings for six different businesses right on this block," she said.
Rep. Joe Crowley joined Meng, saying it could be a boost to quality of life.
"We have to make New York a more livable community because New York is changing every single day and there are just too many cars in the streets," he said.
There was talk of a 2015 opening, but all of this was also described by Williams, Crowley, and others as just another step in the process, Murnane said. That process has already included public hearings.
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