QueensLink Receives $400K Grant & Letter of Support

By Katie McFadden
There’s still some hope for QueensLink. On January 10, QueensLink announced that the United States Department of Transportation is awarding QueensLink $400k as part of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. As a nonprofit transit advocacy organization, QueensLink intends to use this funding to perform a study to measure the social, environmental, economic, and equitable impacts of their proposed “rails and trails” project in New York City. This comes right after elected officials sent a letter to Mayor Eric Adams asking to renew the effort to study the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Branch, or QueensLink.
A press release about the grant funding detailed the argument in favor of QueensLink, a project that would restore the unused rail line to allow the M train to extend from Queens Boulevard to Rockaway via the A train, possibly eliminating the need for a shuttle. “Queens is a divided borough with no rail transit or bicycle infrastructure linking its northern and southern halves. Residents who rely on public transportation often depend on slow, meandering buses to travel within their own borough. The QueensLink vision proposes a multi-modal thoroughfare, incorporating a subway extension and integrated park space to reconnect Queens communities that lack sufficient transit access. If built, QueensLink would create the borough’s first north-south subway line with accompanying bike paths and walking trails along the abandoned Rockaway Beach Branch, a former Long Island Rail Road line. The project addresses critical equity issues, especially for South Queens residents who endure some of the city’s longest commute times.”
In March 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced $117 million in federal grant money to move ahead with QueensWay, a 1.3-mile Greenway extension to Forest Park, creating a linear park on the old elevated trainline. This came after he announced $35 million for the project in September 2022. With that funding, the design and planning phase for the park has been well underway. The announcement of the federal funding in March was unwelcome news for QueensLink supporters who fear the idea of reactivating the Rockaway Beach Branch may never be a possibility if the park is built.
However, on Thursday, January 9, Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, State Senators James Sanders and Leroy Comrie and Assemblyman Khaleel Anderson sent a joint letter to Mayor Adams, asking him to pull the emergency brake on QueensWay and reconsider looking into QueensLink. The letter reads, “We write to renew our call for further study of the proposed reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Branch (“RBB”), also known as QueensLink, and ensure that any planned construction on the vacant rail line not preclude the development of transit infrastructure. The Administration’s investment in greenway along the abandoned RBB line meets a need for more green space, vibrant parks, and outdoor amenities in neighborhoods across Queens. However, we urge the Administration to not initiate any construction that would impede the reactivation of the RBB line, as committed by then Chief of Staff Frank Carone, and potential future investment in the Queens- Link project.
“Given the city’s historic underinvestment in our community and our transportation infrastructure, it is our firm belief that Southeast Queens deserves a more robust, more accessible subway network. QueensLink is worthy of careful study to judge its feasibility and potential to serve community members, and we urge the Administration to not commence any construction that would potentially endanger this project’s viability.”
The following day, QueensLink announced the allocation of the $400K grant for a study to be done on QueensLink. “Grant funding for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden, and QueensLink will use this valuable opportunity to conduct a ‘Community Equity Analysis,’” a press release reads. “This will be a detailed study of the project’s environmental impacts, economic potential, accessibility benefits, and sustainability advantages. The QueensLink team hopes this robust analysis will set the stage for future support and eventually lead to the project’s construction. “
On receiving the grant, Rick Horan, Executive Director of QueensLink, said, “We are honored to receive this grant from the United States Department of Transportation, which brings us one step closer to making the QueensLink vision a reality. With this grant funding, we’ll be able to show citizens and decision-makers just how impactful the project will be. We firmly believe that QueensLink’s emphasis on transit equity, climate change mitigation, and small businesses will benefit everyone.”
QueensLink received several letters of support from elected officials and local organizations in its grant application. “This grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation represents an important opportunity to explore how the QueensLink project could address transit equity and connectivity challenges in Southeast Queens and across our borough,” Councilwoman Selvena N. Brooks-Powers said. “As we move forward, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough study to understand the potential impacts on our communities. I support this effort to gather the data and insights needed to determine the best path forward for Queens residents.”
Senator James Sanders said, “The QueensLink project is a game-changer, not just for improving transportation but also for creating new economic opportunities, addressing environmental concerns, and enhancing community connectivity. This funding takes us closer to a future where every resident, regardless of their zip code, has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”
Previous studies have been done by the MTA on the feasibility of QueensLink, but they claimed it would be too expensive to do for the number of riders that would use it. The grant would fund an independent study.
However, the funding comes with a catch. The funding that USDOT awarded QueensLink is from the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, and those grants are subject to an 80-20 funding match. Due to that, QueensLink must come up with the 20% in matching funds, which amounts to $100K. QueensLink has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to try to raise those matching funds. As we go to press, they have received $5,300. To donate, head to: www.gofundme.com/f/rails-and-trails-for-queens-communities-federal-grant-match
For more information on Queens-Link, visit www.QueensLink.org