Liu, NYS DOT, and northeast Queens residents break ground on green barrier

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 17, 2022
Contact: Soojin Choi |347-556-6335| press@johnliusenate.com |

LIU, NYS DOT, AND NORTHEAST QUEENS RESIDENTS BREAK GROUND ON GREEN BARRIER

 Bayside, NY – NYS Senator John Liu, NYS Department of Transportation and northeast Queens residents today broke ground on a new green barrier along the northbound Clearview Expressway between 18^th and 26^th avenues in Bayside, Queens. After enduring years of relentless visual, noise and air pollution from the adjacent highway, members of the Bayside Town House community sought assistance from Senator Liu who secured $250,000 in funding for the green barrier to help improve the quality of life for neighbors along the highway.

The green barrier will consist of a mixture of approximately 350 evergreens that, once fully grown, will provide dense, year-round vegetation among the existing deciduous trees between nearby homes and the highway. Research shows Evergreens are a visually appealing and effective noise blocking plant that are effective at absorbing high frequency sounds and will provide a visual barrier year-round. Plantings will consist of a mixture of Eastern Red Cedar, Mountain Laurel, American Holly and Viburnum that will grow to about 10-15 feet in 5-10 years. 

Planting work along the side of the highway is expected to be completed by mid-December.

Senator John Liu stated, “Queens residents here in Bayside have long endured excessive noise, stink and eyesores from the Clearview Expressway. This green barrier will not only insulate this stretch of our community from the persistent din of traffic along the Clearview Expressway, it will also contribute to the beautification and protection of our environment without the unsightliness of traditional sight and sound barrier walls. Many thanks to the State DOT and residents of the Bayside Town House community for working with our office and thinking outside the box to find creative solutions to these long-standing quality of life issues.”

“Noise pollution is not only a nuisance, but a hazard that can adversely impact public health and overall quality of life,” said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. “The green sound barrier that is being constructed along the Clearview Expressway will serve to mitigate the burden of noise pollution and provide necessary relief. I thank Senator Liu for securing funding and NYS DOT for their planning and execution to make this project a reality for Bayside residents who live near this active thoroughfare.”

NYS DOT Regional Director, Craig Ruyle stated, “These plantings will not only enrich the environment but also help to enhance the quality of life for residents living along the northbound Clearview Expressway at this location. The New York State Department of Transportation is pleased that the project is now getting underway.”

Jon Rosenblum President of the Bayside Town Houses stated, “The Clearview Expressway has been an ongoing problem for our community, and we’re happy this project is coming to fruition. Many thanks to Senator Liu and our partners in government for making it happen.”

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