Queens officials press MTA to pay attention to poor conditions to transit in Woodside

Western Queens officials want the MTA to clean up a host of issues at stations and MTA property in Woodside.  Wikimedia Commons photo by Transitsylveonkpop

By Ryan Schwach

Elected officials in Western Queens want the MTA to turn its attention to their properties in the area, which have been plagued by delayed construction, poor conditions and illegal dumping.

Led by Assemblymember Steven Raga, Western Queens officials Councilmember Julie Won, Representative Grace Meng and State Senator Michael Gianaris recently penned a letter asking the MTA to address a bevy of concerns they have about the state of public transit in their section of Queens.

Among the issues are delayed construction at two Woodside subway stations, potential asbestos exposure at a subway overpass, and mounds of illegally dumped garbage at an MTA site on Barnett Avenue in Sunnyside. There’s also just bad service, the lawmakers said.

“Our constituents continue to report persistent service delays and disruptions associated with prolonged construction, alongside serious public health and quality-of-life concerns, including hazardous materials, illegal dumping, and inadequate site maintenance,” the officials wrote. “Taken together, these issues reflect not only project-specific challenges, but broader concerns regarding oversight, upkeep and accountability across the district.”

“This lack of accountability is concerning,” they added. “At a minimum, the transit resources currently available to our communities must operate efficiently, safely, and with clear, consistent communication to the public.”

The officials said the public transportation infrastructure in the area has long been ignored by the MTA. They pointed to the fact that construction projects at the 61st and 69th Street stations are running two years behind schedule.

“While these repairs are necessary, Queens residents deserve clearer communication, reliable timelines, and assurance that surrounding areas will be properly maintained throughout the duration of construction,” the officials said. “We urge the MTA to provide consistent public updates, minimize further delays wherever possible, and ensure that active construction zones are kept in a clean and orderly condition.”

At the 58th Street and 39th Avenue subway underpasses in Woodside, locals have said they have seen chipping lead paint, which the officials called a “serious” public health risk.

Along Barnett Avenue from 56th Street and 38th Avenue, locals have reported significant levels of illegal dumping, which has also brought with it a fair amount of pigeons.

“These issues are not isolated, they represent persistent failures in basic maintenance and environmental oversight,” the officials said in their letter. “We therefore call on the MTA, which receives federal funding, to take immediate and coordinated action to address these concerns.”

In response to the letter, the MTA said it would continue to work with officials and Woodside locals to address the concerns.

“These challenges affect quality of life, public health, and trust in public services,” said William Jourdain, the executive director of community nonprofit Woodside on the Move. “We call on the MTA and LIRR to address these concerns with urgency, transparency, and accountability. At the same time, Woodside on the Move stands ready to work collaboratively with our transit partners to identify solutions and achieve lasting improvements for the residents, workers, families, and businesses who depend on these corridors every day.”