You are reading

MTA Removing Decorative Tiles Along Some Parts of Viaduct After Fallen Pieces Reported

MTA workers spotted working along the viaduct last week. (Photo: QueensPost)

Feb. 11, 2019 By Nathaly Pesantez

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is working to remove some overhead tiles along parts of the 7 line viaduct after chunks of the decorative yellow and green strips dislodged and fell to the parking lot below—even piercing a car windshield—last month.

The agency inspected the entire viaduct for loose tiles on Jan. 17, two days after the Sunnyside Post reported that pieces of the decorative terra cotta tiles had fallen near 45th Street and Queens Boulevard, with one of the 4-by-8 inch tiles slicing through the windshield of a parked car underneath.

The report came after a local resident, alarmed after stumbling upon the scene at the municipal lot, sent images to the site that showed the damaged car windshield with the tile still wedged upright in it, and a pile of yellow and green tiles strewn on the ground by the car’s tires.

A tile wedged in the windshield of a car parked under the 7 line viaduct, seen at around 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 10. (Photo courtesy of Vitali Ogorodnikov)

The MTA said the inspection done four weeks ago revealed a few locations along the roughly 20-block viaduct where tiles showed some minor signs of movement, but were not actually loose. The agency insisted that the identified tiles did not pose a public risk to safety.

Out of an abundance of caution, however, the MTA said it directed workers to remove those tiles, with work starting on Jan. 24 and presently ongoing.

It is unclear where exactly the agency is removing tiles along the concrete viaduct, although workers were spotted in a bucket crane at tile level last Thursday evening between 41st and 42nd Streets, on the south side of the boulevard.

Yellow and green tiles among the small pile of rubble next to the damaged car. (Photo: Vitali Ogorodnikov)

The tile removal work also comes after a Facebook user, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment, said in the public “Sunnyside Together” page last week that tile parts had fallen from the viaduct near 42nd Street, also on the south side of the boulevard.

The post included photos taken at the scene of shattered green pieces on the sidewalk, matching the color of the tiles above.

The more-than-a-century-old viaduct was last overhauled in the 1990s to the tune of $90 million. Last year, the viaduct’s state was called into question after chunks of concrete fell to the roadway below.

New York City Transit, however, did a comprehensive inspection of that area following the incident, and said no capital structural work was warranted at the time.

email the author: news@queenspost.com

4 Comments

Click for Comments 
Marion J Drage

Absolutely! But that takes some thought and intelligence. Not something the MTA is known for.

Reply
Sunnyside

They should tear down the whole thing and rebuild it, tiles are not the only problem. Also, how long does it take to remove tiles, they’ve been blocking half of the parking area for few weeks, what are they doing? So slow. Do we have to tell Trump so he can make these people work faster? Where is my infrastructure!?

8
22
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Queens Together launches ‘Unofficial US Open Dining Guide’ encouraging fans to sample restaurants along the 7 line

Aug. 20, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

The US Open returns to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this Sunday, with more than 1 million attendees anticipated to take mass transit to the iconic annual tennis event. With hundreds of thousands of fans set to take the 7 out to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, there is a world of delicious local eateries lying beneath the elevated train tracks should any fan wish to stop en-route to the US Open.