Squadron and Levin want India Street Pier answers ASAP

Greenpoint transport bottleneck ahead

July 11, 2014 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

India Street Pier, Greenpoint. Photo by Jim Henderson, Wikipedia

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With the G train’s summer shutdown clock ticking, state Senator Daniel Squadron and Councilmember Steve Levin pushed on Friday for a date for the reopening of the East River Ferry’s India Street pier in Greenpoint.

“With two weeks before the G train’s summer shutdown, we still haven’t received a firm date on when the India Street pier will be reopened,” the pols said in a joint statement. “This is a transportation lifeline for Greenpointers and northern Brooklynites, especially with the looming G train shutdown. Though the EDC has worked with us to create a shuttle service, the ferry landing has not been available for use since February 13 of this year.”

It could be a long, hot summer in Greenpoint with no ferry, as the G train’s five-week shutdown will begin on July 26.

“We acknowledge the effort and energy required to safely reopen the pier from EDC [Economic Development Corporation] and Red Sky, but the lack of a confirmed date is simply unacceptable,” the officials said. “The India Street pier must be reopened before July 26th, and we ask that EDC commit today to a date for a safe reopening.”

The gangway to the pier collapsed in February just moments after ferry riders had used the ramp to board the ferry. A temporary shuttle bus service has been running since February 18.

The ferry is operated by New York Waterway.

The closure of the G train track section known as the Greenpoint tube is necessary to repair the serious damage done by Superstorm Sandy.

The MTA said that during the shutdown, a free “walking transfer” will be available between the G train’s Broadway station and the J/M lines at nearby Lorimer Street station.

During that period, the G train will be closed between Nassau Avenue and Court Square in Long Island City, Queens.