Editor’s Note: Queens Lawmakers on the Move will not publish on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It will return on Monday, January 4. Happy New Year!
AG James Investigates ParCare Over COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement in response to her office opening an investigation into ParCare Community Health Network’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in New York:
“My office is launching an investigation into ParCare over allegations that it wrongfully distributed and administered COVID-19 vaccines. In order for the vaccine to be most effective in protecting our communities, we must all follow the same distribution plan. We will not tolerate any attempts to circumvent that process.”
De Blasio Announces Largest Protected Bike Lane Expansion in City History
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has constructed a record 28.6 lane miles of new protected bike lanes across all five boroughs in 2020.
Combined with another 35.2 miles of conventional bike lanes, 83 miles of car-free Open Streets, more than 10,800 Open Restaurants on city streets and sidewalk, and 16.3 miles of new bus lanes – another one-year record – New York City’s streetscape was transformed more dramatically during 2020 than in any year in modern history.
“Our city has reimagined our streets as we’ve fought back the COVID-19 crisis. That means more space for restaurants and businesses, faster options for bus riders, and more ways than ever to accommodate the cycling boom with new protected bike lanes,” said de Blasio. “Record numbers of bike lanes and bus lanes will change our urban landscape forever – and, as we continue our fight to build a fairer and better city, we won’t stop here.”
Tuesday’s announcement brings the city’s total bike lane network to 1,375 lane miles, 545 of which are protected miles, including nearly 170 miles on street. DOT is also on track to meet the Green Wave Plan goal of installing over 80 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of 2021, and adding 75 miles of bicycle infrastructure in Bicycle Priority Districts by 2022.
The agency also completed over 70 Street Improvement Projects in all five boroughs, targeting locations with the greatest safety need for pedestrians and cyclists.Notable protected bike lane projects completed this year include 9.5 miles in Queens on Cross Bay Boulevard from the Addabbo Bridge to East 6th Road, Laurel Hill Boulevard from 51st Avenue to 55th Road, Crescent Street from Queens Plaza North to Hoyt Avenue North, and Cross Bay Boulevard from Van Brunt Road to West 20th Road.
