Green And Giuliani Take Initiatives On Queens Blvd. Crisis

Green said the measures he is proposing can be implemented quickly and cost the city substantially less than the installation of pedestrian bridges, a proposal made by Giuliani. It is estimated that each bridge would cost from $5 million to $8 million dollars. Green said his proposal to raise crosswalks at 50 locations would cost around $125,000.
Among the other proposals Green offered on Sunday were:
Set traffic lights for a 30 mph speed.
Install the raised crosswalks on side streets and access roads.
Make prefabricated curbs to widen the meridians.
Increase the time for pedestrians to cross the Boulevard from its present 40 seconds to a full one minute.
Delay the green light for turning cars from three to six seconds.
Plant trees along the boulevard to give it a more neighborhood roadway effect.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently imposed a 30 mph speed limit for the entire length of the Boulevard.
Meanwhile, the city has already rushed through a number of changes along the street including barriers to discourage jaywalking, ominous signs detailing sites where people have been killed, and a massive ticket blitz targeted for speeders, jaywalkers and red light runners. Green also proposed an installation of red-light cameras which photograph the license plates of cars that go through red lights. The Department of Transportation spokesperson said they received Green’s proposals last Friday and had no comment yet, pending review of them.
Meanwhile, Giuliani released statistics detailing the moves the city has already taken about the situation on Queens Blvd. They include large signs which say "A Pedestrian Was Killed Crossing Here/Be Alert/Cross With Care."
These signs were placed at eight intersections where three or more pedestrian deaths occurred between 1993 and 2001. The intersections are: 70 Rd.; Broadway/Grand Ave.; Yellowstone Blvd.; 66 Ave.; 75 Ave.; 71 Ave.; 51 Ave.; and 46 St.
DOT First Deputy Commissioner Anthony Fasulo said, "Many people have said that these signs are dramatic, and that certainly was our intent. We need to constantly remind pedestrians to be safe crossing Queens Blvd."
Also, at approximately 30 intersections where there have been one or two pedestrian fatalities from 1993 to 2001, pedestrian safety signs have been installed, which read, "Be Alert/Cross with Care." At all signalized intersections, signs are installed which read, "Begin Walking On A Fresh Walk/If Dont Walk Is Flashing, Continue to the Next Safety Island/Wait For a Fresh Walk/Cross With Care."
Fasulo noted that work is progressing on pedestrian fencing. Nearly 3,500 linear feet have been installed from 67 Rd. to 70 Rd. Later this year, the city will add another 10,500 linear feet of pedestrian fencing, from Eliot Ave. to 67 Rd., and from 70 Rd. to Union Tpke.
DOT has also increased medians at key intersections, increased pedestrian crossing time during the off-hours by an average of eight to ten seconds, and upgraded sidewalks. In addition, the D.O.T. Safety Education Team has reached out to numerous schools and senior centers in the Queens Blvd. area.
Also, the Police Dept. is continuing its ongoing enforcement of traffic safety laws along Queens Blvd., including the designation of certain days including "zero tolerance" days. A "zero tolerance" initiative involves extra personnel on two tours, including foot and motor patrol, for heightened enforcement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic along Queens Blvd.
The NYPDs Queens Blvd. initiative was implemented last December to enhance vehicle and pedestrian safety on the street. To date, the initiative has resulted in a total of 24,508 summonses, of which 12,534 are parking summonses, 8,744 moving violations, 2,412 criminal court summonses, inclusive of 1,661 for jaywalking, 714 vehicles have been towed and 372 citizens have been assisted crossing the Boulevard. Police personnel from the 102, 107, 108, 110 and 112 pcts., as well as from Queens North Task Force, Highway 3, Mounted Unit, Parking Enforcement and the Traffic Division are involved in the initiative. In addition, a temporary command post has been established on Queens Blvd. to manage the departments enforcement efforts.
Queens Congressional representatives, Anthony Weiner and Nita Lowey, had informed the press last week that they planned to hold a press conference on Monday to announce legislation that could provide DOT with up to $10 million for pedestrian safety initiatives which could be used to make improvements to Queens Blvd. The conference, however, was cancelled at the last minute on Monday morning.