It’s a familiar tale in Queensborough.
A family buys a home in the ‘Boro on the promise a pedestrian bridge is in the works to connect Queensborough to Quayside – the Q2Q bridge.
The Tomkins family is no different. Matthew Tomkins and his wife moved to the ‘Boro last August because it offered lower home prices and was an appealing place to raise their newborn daughter. Oh, and that pedestrian bridge was right around the corner, according to the developer who sold the Tomkinses their condo.
“So we said ‘OK great.’ The area isn’t very walkable now, but once the bridge is built, walkability will go up, and we could live there without having to depend on a car,” Tomkins said.
But now Tomkins is concerned the prospect of a pedestrian bridge is slipping away. He’s worried the complaints from residents in Quayside will persuade the city to drop its plan, leaving Queensborough residents isolated from the rest of the city.
As it stands now, he and his wife rarely spend time across the river, and that’s not because they don’t want to; it’s because it’s a pain to get there. Right now, the only way across is the Queensborough Bridge, but even if they manage to make it through the traffic, maneuvering through the city to get downtown or uptown, where most of the shops are, can be a nightmare. It’s easier to stay put in the ‘Boro or make the quick drive down the highway and into Richmond.
While Tomkins admits some of his neighbours enjoy this isolation, there’s a strong contingent of residents who do want this bridge and have been waiting years to see the city’s plan come to fruition.
“I know I can’t speak for everyone because I know some of my neighbours don’t feel the bridge should be there, but I just wanted to make sure those of us who do want it are put on record,” he added.
