By Rich Bockmann
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) announced last week that the city Department of Transportation had approved two traffic safety projects he believed will make conditions safer for those who live near dangerous intersections.
Shortly after taking office in January, the senator sent out a civic action checklist requesting his constituents to respond with the quality-of-life issues they believed to be most important in their neighborhoods.
Avella said the Ahmed family responded with concerns about navigating speeding motorists when turning onto Hillside Avenue from their Floral Park home on 266th Street.
The senator contacted the DOT about the intersection in July, and last week he said the department announced its plans to complete the installation of a stoplight near the end of November.
“I am pleased that DOT has determined that this heavily trafficked intersection merits the installation of additional controls,” Avella wrote in a statement. “The Ahmed family had complained that the motorists speeding along Hillside Avenue lead to accidents on a nearly weekly basis. Thankfully, we were able to work together in order to obtain the corrective action needed to ensure safety at this intersection.”
Faruque Ahmed thanked the senator.
“This light will certainly be a good thing for the neighborhood. There are many young children on this block and having a stoplight here will work wonders for slowing down the traffic and eliminating any future potential accidents,” he said.
Avella also announced the DOT had agreed to install an all-way stop at the intersection of 36th Avenue and Corporal Stone Street after several residents had voiced their concerns on the checklist.
Avella said the DOT has already installed an all-way stop at the intersection of 39th Avenue and 208th Street, which he had requested in 2010 as a city councilman.
“I am extremely pleased that two more dangerous intersections will now have additional controls, which will significantly improve traffic safety,” Avella said. “Residents have long sought relief for the traffic conditions along 39th Avenue. During my tenure in the City Council, I had asked DOT to take action on numerous occasions to install more controls. I am glad that it has finally happened.”
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
