Chairman Crowley, MTA, Local Officials Announce Millions of Dollars in Long-Awaited Repairs to the 7-Line Train
(Queens, NY) — Today, Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, and elected officials in Queens praised Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to comprehensively repair and re-paint the elevated 7-line train running throughout the borough.
For years, Chairman Crowley and New York City Councilman Danny Dromm have joined families and community leaders in Queens to demand much-needed repairs to the 101-year-old train line, particularly to remediate lead paint peeling from the tracks. Chairman Crowley will now work with the MTA and Chairman and CEO Joe Lhota to complete this project on an expedited timeline. This announcement comes after the MTA secured a $45 million contract for the repairs, which are expected to begin in June.
As part of his Better Deal for Queens and the Bronx plan, Chairman Crowley told constituents he would secure a commitment from the MTA to alleviate health hazards associated with the 7-line and make any repairs necessary to ensure the train runs as efficiently as possible. Today’s announcement marks a milestone for Chairman Crowley’s Better Deal plan as well as a satisfying conclusion to years of advocacy from Queens families and local elected officials, including New York City Councilmen Dromm, Francisco Moya, and Jimmy Van Bramer, New York State Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
“I deeply appreciate Chairman Lhota and the MTA acknowledging the concerns of my constituents in Queens by committing to repair and re-paint the elevated 7-line tracks running through our neighborhoods,” said Congressman Crowley. “The 7-line is a lifeline for commuters in Queens, but its underlying infrastructure is in need of long overdue repairs and lead paint peeling from the elevated tracks has threatened the health of Queens families for far too long. I look forward to working with the MTA, Councilman Dromm, and other community leaders to ensure the line is safely repainted and that a functional public transit system does not come at the cost of our community’s well-being.”
“The good news is that the MTA is finally taking the issue of painting the #7 train trestle seriously,” said New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst). “I am grateful that Congressman Crowley made this issue a top priority. Working together we will monitor the progress of the painting schedule and continue to hold the MTA accountable. It’s been decades since the trestle was last painted – creating blight in our community. Thank you Congressman Crowley for moving this issue forward.”
“For countless years, the No. 7 line was allowed to fall into disrepair and languish as highly-toxic lead-based paint flaked off the elevated track onto the communities below,” said New York City Councilman Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona). “My office has long been fighting to raise awareness of how dangerous this crisis is—young children could swallow the chips or they could seep into the soil and poison it for years, pets could eat them or track them into our homes. The District Council 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades should be applauded for testing the paint and revealing that it was 48-times more toxic than the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard. This is a health emergency, and not the first health emergency overlooked in a community predominantly made up by people of color. I’m ecstatic and grateful that the MTA is finally taking action and repainting repairing the No. 7 train infrastructure.”
“I’m pleased to see that the MTA is moving forward with painting and repairing 7 train line infrastructure,” said New York City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Astoria, Dutch Kills). “The line is desperately in need of maintenance and repairs that will allow riders to travel safely and quickly across Queens. I have long been advocating for painting and repair work in my district and look forward to the MTA announcing contracts for work along this stretch of the line late this year. However, we demand that the as the MTA completes this work, they do so without harming the community or local businesses.”
“The No. 7 train is a critical subway line for Queens and for which repair and repaint have been long overdue,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “Congressmember Crowley has been a forceful advocate for these much-needed improvements, and his advocacy has helped secure today’s commitment to get the work completed.”
“I, along with Congress Member Joseph Crowley are pleased that the MTA has heard the cries of the communities and strap hangers who live along, and ride the No. 7 subway line,” said New York State Assemblyman Michael DenDekker (D-Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Woodside). “The MTA is finally going to make the much-needed repairs and remedial work to alleviate the health issues that the peeling lead paint poses. Our community relies on the #7 train and it is imperative that it all the repairs be made quickly and with as little service disruptions as possible.”
Earlier this month, Chairman Lhota joined Chairman Crowley and NYC Councilmen Dromm, Moya, and Van Bramer on a tour of the 7-line tracks in Jackson Heights.
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