U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks Remarks at Today's Press Conference with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, and Members of the New York City Congressional Delegation to Announce Funding for Sandy Resilience

September 22, 2014

NEW YORK—Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) delivered remarks today at a press conference with U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, to announce the results of New York City's application for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Super Storm Sandy Competitive Resilience Program:

"It’s been nearly two years since Superstorm Sandy devastated our region. Two years of work to at home in Queens, the Rockaways, and on Long Island, to rebuild. And finally, after two years of work in Washington and in Albany we have the funding necessary to take the next steps in fortifying our community against the worst that nature can create."

"The $1.9 billion in grants awarded to New York State for the Metro Transit Authority and the Port Authority as-well-as the nearly 200 million awarded to the City’s Department of Transportation are important steps forward in rebuilding and fortifying our critical transportation infrastructure and strengthening our community’s storm resiliency."

"I am particularly thankful to Secretary Foxx for recognizing the importance of securing the Rockaway Line, whose more than 3 miles rail line across Jamaica Bay was extensively damaged. The Department of Transportation’s grant of $137 million will help protect flood prone stations like the Howard Beach and Broad Channel Station and mitigate the risk of another 7 month shutdown like the one that crippled the Rockaway community."

"I also commend Secretary Foxx for recognizing the importance of mitigating the risk of flooding in our city’s rail yards. $617 million will be spent to protect 10 rail yards, including yards in Queens and the Rockaways. These protections included designs to meet or exceed the 100-year design standard, improving perimeter protections, drainage improvements and pumping."

"While I am pleased that Staten Island ferry is the focus of this funding, we must not give up the fight to make sure that the Rockaway ferry is included in the City's transportation planning."

"I will continue working with Secretary Foxx, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Polly Trottenberg to resolve the Rockaway ferry's funding issues so that it will continue to service our community in the future."