New York lawmakers seek restoration of old Rockaway Beach line

U.S. Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) have joined state Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder in asking U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to consider allocating a portion of approved federal Hurricane Sandy recovery aid to fund the restoration of the abandoned Rockaway Beach rail line.

"Restoring the rail line would speed up the pace of recovery for residents and local businesses and create hundreds of jobs while laying the foundation for a transportation network that accommodates our future growth," Meeks said in a prepared statement.

The lawmakers noted in a letter to LaHood that the current transit infrastructure in Queens, N.Y., can't serve the present population and offers no alternative travel options.

The Rockaway Beach line was created in the early 20th century to provide residents with transportation service around Queens and into Manhattan. The line was closed in 1962, when the Long Island Rail Road was condensed and sectioned off.