by Tony Tantillo
I am also in favor of turning it into a rail trail, although I no longer live in the area.
The only transit option that makes sense is to hook up the NYC subway Rockaway Branch to it and this would cost money better spent elsewhere on the system. This option would require a complete reconstruction of the right of way and a minimum of 4 new stations if one replaces the old LIRR ones (Ozone Park, Brooklyn Manor (Jamaica Avenue), Parkside, and Rego Park. Finally you have build the tie-ins at the end of the lines at Roosevelt Ave. and Howard Beach. If someone wants to get an idea of the right of way condition look at
http://www.oldnyc.com/rockaway/contents/rockaway.html
or
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/Roc ... kline.html.
Better yet you can have a look at the line in person. Take the Q55 bus to Woodhaven Boulevard. The old right of way crosses under Myrtle Avenue just west of Woodhaven Boulevard.
The only transit option that makes sense is to hook up the NYC subway Rockaway Branch to it and this would cost money better spent elsewhere on the system. This option would require a complete reconstruction of the right of way and a minimum of 4 new stations if one replaces the old LIRR ones (Ozone Park, Brooklyn Manor (Jamaica Avenue), Parkside, and Rego Park. Finally you have build the tie-ins at the end of the lines at Roosevelt Ave. and Howard Beach. If someone wants to get an idea of the right of way condition look at
http://www.oldnyc.com/rockaway/contents/rockaway.html
or
http://www.forgotten-ny.com/SUBWAYS/Roc ... kline.html.
Better yet you can have a look at the line in person. Take the Q55 bus to Woodhaven Boulevard. The old right of way crosses under Myrtle Avenue just west of Woodhaven Boulevard.