Fate of Queens Site Shapes Up as Big Rail Freight Development Issue
A Maspeth, Queens industrial site formerly operated by Phelps-Dodge, the mining and manufacturing corporation, could help New York City meet its critical need for rail freight yard capacity. City, state and regional transportation planning officials are eyeing the site's two parcels, totaling 37 acres, which connect to the Montauk Branch rail line, and, via connections, Brooklyn's 65th Street Yard and float terminals, the East River Hell Gate Bridge and the LIRR network. The asking price for the site is reportedly about $1 million per acre. For now, New York City appears to be holding out for NY State or the Port Authority to step in to buy the land. Yard space is a critical issue for increasing rail freight service in the city. Without more capacity to switch freight between trains and trucks, the city would be hard-pressed to take advantage of the new rail access a cross-harbor tunnel or very active harbor rail/barge float system would create.
