Photo: Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and the MTA this week unveiled plans to continue beautifying the parking lot on the southern approach to the Cross Bay Bridge in Rockaway. File Photo.
Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach) and Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels this week announced plans to beautify the parking lot on the southern approach to the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge in Rockaway.
Last month, Goldfeder penned a letter to Bridges and Tunnels President James Ferrara, urging the agency to clean up what he characterized as a blighted space. Goldfeder wrote that the lot, located between Beach Channel Drive and Rockaway Freeway at Beach 94th Street, is filled with trash and broken tree branches, the metal fence surrounding it is rusting, and there are cracks in the sidewalk and pavement where tall weeds have begun to grow.
In April, an MTA spokeswoman said that Ferrara had received the letter, and that the agency had already begun to beautify the lot, removing the trash and broken tree.
This week, Goldfeder indicated that Bridges and Tunnels is currently procuring the contract to make repairs to the parking lot. The work will include replacing the damaged and rusted fence surrounding the lot and repairs to the cracked concrete surface. The planned repairs were discussed during a recent meeting between Goldfeder and MTA representatives to discuss ongoing work to revamp infrastructure at the nearby Marine Parkway Bridge.
“The Cross Bay Bridge lot is the first thing thousands of beachgoers see coming to Rockaway during the summer. This small effort on behalf of the MTA will go a long way in making our community a more attractive and safer place to live and visit,” Goldfeder said. “I’d like to thank MTA Chairman Tom Prendergast and MTA Bridges and Tunnels for tirelessly working to improve our vital infrastructure on the Rockaway Peninsula.”
Rockaway Bridges Facility Engineer Lloyd Drummond added, “MTA Bridges and Tunnels has always been committed to being a good neighbor to the communities where our facilities are located. This improvement work was in process for some time, and we’re glad to bring it to fruition when the Rockaways are ready to welcome the world to their shores once again.”
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
