Meng, LIRR Unveil New Platform Railings and Signage at Flushing-Main Street LIRR Station

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), joined by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and area elected officials, today held a photo-op at the Flushing-Main Street LIRR station to unveil new platform railings and signs that will improve passenger safety and enhance the appearance of the station.

The long awaited upgrades are the first phase of the $24.6 million project to completely overhaul the station, and make it handicap accessible. The next phases of renovations, which are set to begin within the next few months, will include the installation of elevators, a new ticket window and plaza and new staircases, platform shelters, entrances and lighting.

Meng has strongly advocated for the rehabilitation of the Flushing LIRR station since the project was first announced in 2012, when she was a member of the New York State Assembly.

“The Flushing-Main Street LIRR station has been in serious need of renovations,” said Meng. “Improvements to its appearance, accessibility and safety are essential to meeting the needs of the growing population in Flushing. Although the project has encountered delays, we are now are on track with this first phase of upgrades. I want to thank the LIRR for its continuing commitment to the Flushing station, and I look forward to riders benefiting from the improvements we’re unveiling today, and the additional renovations that will soon begin.”

“After four years of waiting, I am happy to see phase one of these much-needed renovations completed,” said State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens). “Flushing is thriving, with more and more people moving in each month. It is important for our infrastructure to accommodate for that growth. Once the entire project is complete, the Flushing-Main Street LIRR station will be safer, more accessible and something our neighborhood can be proud of. I would like to thank Congresswoman Meng – who has been advocating for this since she was a member of the State Assembly – for her continued commitment to this very important project.”

"I want to thank Congresswoman Grace Meng for her persistence in ensuring the funding to overhaul the Main Street LIRR station,” said Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens). “There are so many who will benefit from the upgrade, including those who want to travel to Flushing from Manhattan and Long Island. I look forward to celebrating the final ribbon cutting!"

“The real estate boom happening in Flushing must be supported by infrastructure investments from all levels of government, and we must ensure these improvements will be maintained,” said Councilman Peter Koo (D-Queens). “After years of advocacy, I’m very happy we are finally seeing a real commitment to the Main Street LIRR station. I’d like to thank all my colleagues in government and the LIRR for making these improvements a reality. I look forward to seeing the finished product.”

The new platform railings are more modern, thicker and more ascetically pleasing than the old ones. Unlike the old railings, the new ones are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and have much smaller openings that will reduce the possibility of kids or other individuals falling or trying to squeeze through the gaps. The platform railings also replaced pieces of the outdated chain-link fence that was located at the end of the platforms.

Workers recently finished installing the new railings on the eastbound platform, and last week completed the upgrades on the westbound side.

In addition, workers last week replaced the station signs. These are brand new and updated looking signs that display “Flushing Main Street” at several points on both sides of the platforms.

Attending this morning’s photo-op, in addition to Meng, were State Senator Toby Stavisky (D-Queens), Assemblyman Ron Kim (D-Queens), Councilman Peter Koo (D-Queens), LIRR Flushing Station Project Manager Yonelle Baptitse and Claire Shulman, President/CEO of the Flushing Willets Point Corona Local Development Corporation.