There's been much talk about building over the Sunnyside Yards in the past few months. It isn't a new discussion. Out of the many folks in Western Queens that I know, not one thinks this is a good idea.
Among the multitude reasons building over the yards is, in fact, a bad idea - is the inadequate infrastructure we struggle with everyday in Sunnyside and Long Island City.
For those of us along the 7 train line, life can be especially painful. Our train basically runs when the sun is shining. And just try getting on the Q32 if the train is out. That's an experience no one should have to bear.
There are those currently and formerly in our city government that think building over the yards will be very beneficial (at least for Manhattan, is my take), since it is a convenient transit hub. Huh?? Yes, you heard that right. Sunnyside yards is a convenient transit hub. I beg to differ. Which NYCT trains actually have a station there? The trains and buses are at Queens & Queensboro Plazas. If you've been to Queensboro plaza, you know it is not a modern transit experience. And if you've been there during one of the weekends when the trains aren't running, or are experiencing issues, you know that you take your life in your hands standing on a dangerously over crowded platform, waiting for the promise of a train, just two stations away. That train never arrives.
So, in an effort to demonstrate what a phenomenally bad idea this is, I'll be blogging my daily commute. I'd love to hear from you too! I'll also link to articles about Sunnyside Yards & what is underfoot, as well as sharing my own perspective.
Way outside of the norm, I actually had a painless and not-so-crowded commute today. Maybe you all anticipated the trains might not run because of the snow and just stayed home. Or maybe the MTA was playing a little joke on me. Either way, I'll take it. I rode the 7 from 46th to Court Square. Then I transferred to the E. My wait was next to nothing. It was like being in bizarro world.