Meng Issues Statement on Freight NYC

July 18, 2018

QUEENS, NY – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) today issued the following statement on Freight NYC, the $100 million plan unveiled on Monday to overhaul the City's freight distribution system.

"Reducing traffic congestion and pollution from our streets is of course a critical goal. We must do all we can to make New York a cleaner and healthier city.

But any plan to overhaul freight distribution must not negatively impact the communities where freight rail is located, and that includes areas in my Congressional district.

We must be assured that these neighborhoods, which are already overburdened with rail traffic, will not be forced to endure even more idling, noise or air pollution, and that trucks will not clog local streets.

The City claims that this project will decrease truck traffic and improve air quality. This must be true for all neighborhoods. Investments in freight infrastructure are critical but must not be made on the backs of my constituents.

I will be watching this project closely, and will express my concerns to the mayor and his administration."