$1M More In Federal Funds Granted For Forest Hills LIRR Upgrades

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — The federal government is pumping even more money into long-awaited upgrades at a Forest Hills train station.

Repairs for deteriorating platforms and accessibility upgrades at the Forest Hills Long Island Rail Road station will be covered by $1 million in federal funds that U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand secured from a recently-approved trillion-dollar government spending package.

"Our public transportation system is the backbone of the region’s economy and is an important part of our outer boroughs’ infrastructure that is vital in getting Forest Hills residents around the city," said Gillibrand, noting that the fund swill improve Queens' residents quality of life.

Locals and community groups have been calling for upgrades at the station for years, citing water leaks, inaccessible platforms, and vine-covered tracks at the historic station.

Last year, the MTA heeded these calls and announced a plan to upgrade the station, bringing elevators as well as platform extensions and replacements to the train stop by 2022.

Gillibrand's funding — as well as additional millions in federal dollars — will support these upgrades, which the senator said are currently being designed with help from the state's Historic Preservation Office.

The money comes from a twelve-part spending package, which brought tens-of-thousands more dollars to the area, including $248,000 in funding to two central Queens non-profits.

Related Articles

• Forest Hills LIRR Station To Become Accessible, Get New Platforms
• Forest Hills LIRR Station To Get ADA Revamp After Locals Complain