The Rockaway Freeway is a road in the New York City borough of Queens that was created from the old right-of-way of the Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Division in 1941–1942 as part of the project to eliminate grade crossings within New York City. The railroad line itself was elevated over the new automotive route [1] and was incorporated into the New York City Subway system as the IND Rockaway Line (A train) in June 1956.[2]
Because of the large number of concrete posts supporting the elevated subway, the Freeway has consistently been hazardous for drivers: at least one driver died from crashing into a pillar.[3] A portion of the road, between Beach 67th Street and Beach 73rd Street, was closed permanently in 2009 to make way for a retail transit plaza in connection with the new Arverne-by-the-Sea construction development.[4]
- ^ "Rockaway Freeway Highlights : NYC Parks". www.nycgovparks.org. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
- ^ See:
- Freeman, Ira Henry (June 28, 1956). "Rockaway Trains to Operate Today" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved June 29, 2015.<
- "First Train On Rockaway Line Runs This Afternoon". Wave of Long Island. Fultonhistory.com. June 28, 1956. pp. 1, 6.
- "TA's New Line To Rockaways Begins Today: Fifty Piece Band To Play as Special Train Makes First Run". The Leader-Observer. Fultonhistory.com. June 28, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- "To Rockaways: Beach Trains In Operation". Greenpoint Weekly Star. Fultonhistory.com. June 29, 1956. p. 2. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
- ^ Rosenberg, Miriam (February 6, 2015). "Driver Killed on Rockaway Freeway | the Wave". The Wave. Rockaway Beach, NY. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ Briano, Nicholas (February 20, 2009). "Section Of Rockaway Freeway Closing Next Month For ABTS Construction". The Wave. Rockaway Beach, NY. Retrieved February 12, 2020.