By Rebecca Henely
Driving on Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City will no longer be a bumpy ride — or a swervey one.
On Monday, the city Department of Transportation repaved Vernon Boulevard from 46th to 48th avenues.
City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) said a number of residents had complained to him about the large number of potholes along Vernon Boulevard. But the road had already been repaved often in the past.
“What happened here is that [Vernon Boulevard] had been repaved so often it really needed a permanent fix,” Van Bramer said.
He said he got in contact with the commissioner of the DOT, Janette Sadik-Khan, and was able to get the road repaved.
“I’m very, very grateful that the Department of Transportation has come out here,” Van Bramer said.
He said the worst section was around 47th Road, which had deep potholes.
“That was really the most critical area,” Van Bramer said.
He said the project was so important because it will make Vernon Boulevard safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. The potholes will no longer damage cars or force motorists to swerve, potentially hitting bicyclists or pedestrians.
“This is a very big victory for Hunters Point and Long Island City,” Van Bramer said.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
