Queens Pols Applaud De Blasio Traffic Easing Plan
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced yesterday a few new initiatives designed to help reduce congestion in busy streets across the city. New strategies include moving lanes in MIdtown, clearing curbs during rush hour, expanding NYPD enforcement of block-the-box violations, limiting curbside access in crowded corridors, and bringing coordinated attention to recurring traffic spots on local highways.
“With 8.5 million people, New York City is experiencing both record population and economic vitality; but our success has put serious demands on our already crowded street network,” said de Blasio. “New Yorkers have been telling me loud and clear about the quality-of-life problems created by traffic where they live and work. With a targeted effort to help clear travel lanes, delivery zones, intersections and highways, these initiatives will address these concerns head-on, using established and new tools that will keep our City moving, from midtown to all of our neighborhoods.”
The city will test curb access restrictions for six months in Manhattan to monitor its success. Curbside loading will be banned during peak hours (7am-10am and 4pm-7pm). Passenger pick up and drop off would still be allowed, as well as deliveries to off-street loading docks. If implemented it will be put to use in Roosevelt Ave., Broadway to 108th St. in Queens.
A Queens hotspot that the city will look to address is Downtown Jamaica. Supporting EDC’s Jamaica Now Actions Plan, a congestion plan is being developed for downtown as part of a larger Jamaica-area transportation study. The plan includes street redesigns, signal timing changes, one-way street conversions, and curb regulation changes. Findings will be released in 2018.
“Congestion is a serious problem, wasting countless hours of New Yorkers’ lives and impeding our economy — and not just in Manhattan. I’m particularly glad to see that downtown Jamaica in my district is included in the mayor’s plan, and I look forward to working with the administration to unfreeze traffic in this important commercial district. I also hope we can expand the ‘Clear Highways’ initiative to include the Grand Central Parkway, Van Wyck Expressway and Long Island Expressway in the areas around Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.” said City Councilmember Rory Lancman (D-Jamaica, Hillcrest).
“Traffic congestion is a serious problem that affects the quality of life of our residents and I
welcome the news of this proposal. This ambitious plan will help New Yorkers spend less time in traffic and more time with their families and guarantee the safety of drivers and pedestrians alike. I want to thank Mayor de Blasio for his commitment on this issue and I look forward to the implementation of this plan,” said City Councilmember Julissa Ferreras-Copeland (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights).
Councilmember Richards To Take First Ride On Far Rockaway Ferry Shuttle
City Councilmember Donovan Richards (D-Far Rockaway, Edgemere) will take the first ride to Manhattan on the Downtown Far Rockaway Ferry Shuttle Pilot Program this morning.
He will be joined by the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group members and members of Community Board 14.
The shuttle leaves the dock at 8:49am today. The Far Rockaway stop is at Mott Ave and Beach 21st Street.
Through a rezoning agreement, Richards got the city to commit to launching a three-month pilot for a weekday shuttle to connect Downtown Far Rockaway residents to the NYC Ferry landing at Beach 108th Street. The city will evaluate the service, stopping at Mott Ave and Beach 21st Street and Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 20th Street by Wavecrest Gardens before continuing to Beach 108th Street NYC Ferry Landing.
Senator Peralta Announces Funds To Modernize P.S. 19’s Auditorium
State Senator Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) announced on Friday that he secured state funding to renovate the auditorium at P.S. 19, the Marino Jeantet School in Corona.
The $250,000 he secured will replace broken seats, install a new audio system, and upgrade the electrical system to facilitate the installation of an air conditioning unit.
Outside of school functions, the school’s auditorium is used for community events and activities. Peralta made the announcement alongside the school’s principal, Genie Caliber, and members of the school community.
“Modernizing the auditorium will provide a better learning environment for students and a more inviting setting for the entire community. The broken chairs and seats in the auditorium can be dangerous to the students, it is necessary that we replace them,” said Peralta. “We must work together to ensure students at the Marino Jeantet School have a usable auditorium. A location that is also a point of gathering for the community, this project will benefit all.”
