Councilman David G. Greenfield successfully suspended MTA track construction in Midwood and Boro Park for the Purim holiday following concerns from constituents about heavy equipment and street closures during the weekend holiday. Residents near Avenue L and E 15th Street in the Midwood section of the Councilman’s district and New Utrecht Avenue and 56th and 57th Streets in the Boro Park section of the Councilman’s district were upset to learn that there would be street closures over Purim and the presence of heavy equipment, including cranes, that would interfere with area celebrations and mishloach manos deliveries.

“Normally, weekends are a good time to do this kind of construction, but this year Purim happens to fall on a weekend,” said Councilman Greenfield. “Street closures and the presence of heavy equipment in streets during Purim would certainly slow down traffic and dampen the festive atmosphere for residents of Midwood and Boro Park. Part of the celebration of Purim is visiting with friends and neighbors and exchanging gifts, which is why I requested that the MTA suspend construction over the Purim holiday weekend.”

Councilman Greenfield routinely intervenes to address constituent concerns during Jewish holidays. Just days after his election, and before he was officially sworn in last April, the Councilman successfully moved scheduled tree pruning to avoid interference with Pesach and worked with the Department of Sanitation to ensure more pre-Pesach garbage pick up. Several months ago, the Councilman worked with the Department of Environmental Protection to avoid a water shut off near the Boro Park and Midwood areas during Sukkos.

“This is what we do best,” noted Councilman Greenfield. “We help explain the traditions of our constituents so that government is sensitive to their needs. I am grateful to the agencies that work with me year-round toward resolving situations like these. In this case, Community Board 14 and its District Manager Doris Ortiz and Community Board 12 and its District Manager Wolf Sender, along with the MTA and their intergovernmental representative Andy Inglesby, worked with the contractors on both projects to accommodate the changes. On the Brighton Line, heavy equipment was moved out days ahead of schedule and construction on the West End Line was moved to next weekend so that Purim festivities in both neighborhoods could proceed without interruption.”

The presence of heavy equipment in Midwood is related to the rehabilitation of several stations along the Brighton B and Q Lines, including Newkirk Avenue, Avenue H, Avenue M, and Kings Highway. In Boro Park, cranes and other heavy equipment are being used for track work and station rehabilitation on the West End D Line. Construction on the Brighton Line is expected to be completed by fall 2011 and construction on the West End Line is slated for completion in spring 2012.

“To all those that are celebrating, I wish them a safe and happy Purim,” concluded Councilman Greenfield.

(YWN Desk – NYC)