WASHINGTON: Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-14) were successful in securing $250,000 in Federal funding for the Long Island City Links Project (LIC Links). LIC Links will lead to a comprehensive network of innovative pedestrian, bicycle and transit connections between Long Island City residential and business areas and new parks, retail stores, and cultural institutions. The House today voted to approve the funding as a part of the FY 2002 House Transportation Appropriations Bill.

"This federal funding is a major step for the revitalization of residential areas, private businesses, and public areas in the Long Island City neighborhood. Everyone who lives in this neighborhood knows that traffic congestion, air pollution and noise significantly detract from the quality of life here in Long Island City. LIC Links will create options to the congestion and pollution of cars by enhancing mass transit as well as walking and biking environments. By curbing additional automobile traffic, we will limit congestion, reduce the need to build costly new roadways and will improve our neighborhood air quality," said Congressman Crowley.

"Long Island City includes some of the best residential neighborhoods, cultural institutions, and centers of commerce in our city. LIC Links will make this community an even better place to live and work by reducing traffic, improving air quality, and enhancing walk ways, bike paths and public parks. This is an important investment in our future and I am glad we were able to secure federal funds for a project that will significantly improve the quality of life in Queens," said Congresswoman Maloney.

The $250,000 from the Federal Government represents the majority of the funding needed for the LIC Links planning project. The New York City Department of City Planning has committed to providing $69,800 of the funding for the plan. The two-year project is part of a broader city and state initiative to develop Long Island City's waterfront and better serve the 8,000 middle to low income residents and 50,000 people working within the program boundaries.