Pols Want 7 Train Running For Holiday
By DOMENICK RAFTER
Its Lunar New York, one of the most important Chinese holidays, and Flushing, as the epicenter of Chinese-American culture in New York City, is hosting their annual parade on Saturday, Feb.4, but construction work threatens to take out the neighborhood’s key transportation artery.
 |
| Local officials in Flushing are worried plans for a 7 train shutdown will affect the neighborhood’s Lunar New Year celebrations. |
This is the third of 11 weekends this winter that the 7 train will be shut down between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square for rehabilitation of the Steinway Tunnel and local officials from Flushing are decrying the service disruption, warning that it comes at a bad time and asking the MTA to reconsider for this weekend.
State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing), Assemblywoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) called on MTA Executive Director Joseph Lhota to reschedule work along the 7 train for another weekend to avoid conflict with the annual Lunar New Year Festival and Parade in Flushing on Saturday, warning that the possible drop in attendance due to difficulty getting to Flushing could hurt small businesses who depend on revenue from parade revelers.
“The economic significance of this weekend is paramount,” Meng warned.
“Suspension of the 7 train has always hurt businesses around the Flushing-Main St Station, and we cannot ask the community to take this hit during one of the busiest and most important weekends of the year,” Stavisky added.
She said the MTA halted planned disruptions during the Lunar New Year parade in 2008 and should accommodate the event this year.
In a statement, the MTA said the work being done would not affect 7 train service east of Queensboro Plaza and people traveling to Flushing from Manhattan can take the N train to Queensboro Plaza or the E, F or R to Jackson Heights to switch to the 7 train. Also travelers can take the LIRR to Flushing. The MTA will add more N trains and run Q service to Astoria during the weekend to provide service to the 7 train connection at Queensboro Plaza.
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125.