Queens' abandoned railway sparks fierce battle between park and transit revival

A long-standing debate over the future of the abandoned Rockaway Beach Branch railway has intensified. Two major proposals—QueensWay and QueensLink—compete to reshape the 3.5-mile corridor, with supporters on both sides making their case for transformation. The Rockaway Beach Branch was abandoned over 50 years ago after a fire left it unused. Since then, the corridor has remained a point of contention for urban planners and local leaders.

QueensWay proposes turning the old railway into an elevated park. The plan includes a 3.5-mile green space with recreation areas, bikeway connections, and climate resiliency features. Its first section, the Metropolitan Hub, is fully funded and set to break ground later this year. The park would stretch north-south, crossing multiple school zones from Rego Park to Ozone Park.

QueensLink, on the other hand, aims to restore rail service. The proposal would extend the M train from Queens Center Mall to the Rockaways through Forest Park. State Senator James Sanders Jr. backs this idea, arguing it could transform access for Rockaway residents. The group also claims the project would remove 4.7 million cars from the road annually and generate $8.9 billion in revenue, disputing the MTA’s estimate of $5.9 billion in construction costs.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani currently supports QueensWay but has not ruled out future rail service. The MTA previously studied restoring the line but concluded the costs would be prohibitive. The corridor’s future remains uncertain as both projects gain traction. QueensWay’s park plan is already moving forward with its first phase, while QueensLink continues to push for rail revival. The outcome will shape transportation and green space in Queens for decades to come.