Newsday photo by Alejandra Villa
My home abuts the tracks of Gibson Station, between Valley Stream and Hewlett on LIRR’s Far Rockaway line. In April, I started calling the LIRR to ask them to clean up the area on Track One and trim the trees and overgrowth. I’ve called five times. The overgrowth is so high that it’s entwined around the railroad wires in back of my property.
— Mary Ellen McGroary, Valley Stream
The LIRR-owned land abutting McGroary’s property is now almost whistle-clean. Less than a week after we called the LIRR, maintenance workers were sent to collect debris, snip vines and remove fallen tree branches.
“It looks 50 percent better,” said McGroary, noting that workers knocked on her door and asked her to show them the troubling area. “They spent about two-three hours fixing it up... They could’ve done a better job with the leaves though.”
According to LIRR officials, maintenance crews inspect all 700-plus miles of track on a weekly basis for debris and vegetation control. The result of those inspections, and concerns such as those voiced by McGroary, help determine which locations are scheduled for clean up. McGroary’s area was previously cleaned Feb. 28, LIRR spokesman Sam Zambuto said.
To report an area of concern, call the Public Affairs Office, 718-558-8228.
Also related to this topic:
*MTA “LIRR begins major effort to combat slip-slide”
*Railway Track and Structures: “The ABCs of Vegetation Control”
