By Forum Staff
For decades, the 0.3-mile stretch that constitutes the Babbage & Bessemer Street train trestle from 84th Avenue to Hillside Avenue in Richmond Hill has caused numerous safety and quality-of-life concerns for the residents who live nearby, including illegal dumping, loitering, vagrancy, illegal parking under the bays, and more.
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) noted on Thursday that his office has launched a multi-agency effort to address each of the pervasive problems that have plagued the area.
Addabbo has conducted at least three walkthroughs of the site, both alone and with agency and community leaders, and residents, to monitor the conditions under, and alongside, the trestle. One such walkthrough took place on Aug. 23, 2023, with the following representatives in attendance; Nick Fasano of the MTA, Helen Day of the Richmond Hill Historical Society, Nick Salamone and Scott Adelman, Community Affairs Officers with the 102nd Precinct, John Matarazzo of the MTA Police Department, and James McClelland of Community Board 9, who has been in constant communication with the City Department of Sanitation. Representatives from the DOT were not present at that time.
Although the numerous improvements needed could take years to complete, progress has already started, Addabbo said on Thursday. The DSNY recently conducted a cleanup of the area.
The City Department of Transportation has performed a survey to determine what signage and traffic calming devices are needed alongside the trestle with Addabbo putting in specific requests for speed bumps, new traffic signals, stop signs, street signs, no traffic left signage repair, do not enter signs, no left turn signs, street markings and crosswalks. The DOT’s street lighting unit is actively investigating the trestle at 84th Avenue.
The MTA, which owns the property and is responsible for the maintenance of the trestle, is proposing overhead lighting be installed under the bays to improve safety. The MTA is working to secure funding and a timeline for the installation of fencing along the entirety of the trestle. The NYPD is in support of fencing. In the interim, all involved parties are on board with the installation of planters and are actively working to procure the funding for planters using a group that meets MTA’s insurance liability requirements for maintenance under the trestle.
The installation of planters and fencing aims to prevent cars from illegally parking under the bays. Addabbo is working with the MTA on these proposals to determine the costs and timelines.
The MTAPD has inspected the entirety of the trestle to determine what signage on the trestle needs to be replaced, refabricated and installed such as no parking and no trespassing signs.
The NYPD is increasing patrols alongside the trestle corridor working with the MTAPD who would handle enforcement underneath the trestle.
Addabbo has committed to funding security cameras for the trestle using next year’s budgetary allocations.
“When this area became a part of my district, I was determined to reverse the neglect and disrepair that had caused this trestle to fall by the wayside and become a blight on the community,” Addabbo said. “I want to thank the constituents who brought these issues to my attention and to the agencies who have been cooperating with me in an effort to create real and sustained change.”
