Street change may improve traffic but hurt biz

Residents of Jackson Heights may soon experience a disoriented feeling while driving on 75th Street.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has permanently changed 75th Street from a northbound street to a southbound street between 30th and 37th Avenues in Jackson Heights. Implementation of the switch began at 8 a.m. on August 25.
Community leaders are optimistic about the modification’s effect on driving conditions in the neighborhood.
“After a comprehensive three-year study involving more residents than ever before in the history of the Department of Transportation, the DOT has decided to implement several traffic changes in the community which we hope will improve traffic conditions in our area,” said Councilmember Daniel Dromm, who represents Jackson Heights. “We look forward to receiving feedback from the community and continuing to work with merchants and residents alike to make improvements in our neighborhood.”
After extensive research and community outreach, the DOT determined that the balance between north and south connectivity in Jackson Heights was a significant traffic issue. According to DOT spokesperson Monty Dean, the reversal of 75th Street is expected to solve this problem, as well as provide buses with a more direct route to the neighborhood’s transit hub and improve overall traffic conditions throughout the area.
“DOT launched a study in May 2009 at the request of the community, which asked the agency to examine ways to enhance safety and ease congestion in the Jackson Heights area,” said Dean. “With the significant input of the community, including guidance from public workshops in 2009 and 2010, an open house in April 2010, a public presentation of the improvements in February 2011 and an interactive web site dedicated to the project and gathering feedback, DOT created a comprehensive plan to address mobility and safety issues.”
The 75th Street switch received unanimous approval from Community Boards 3 and 4, according to the Dean.
Despite the DOT’s claim that the alteration will improve traffic conditions in the area, some local businesses are perturbed by its suddenness and the harmful impact it may have on the community.
“No one called us and told us this idea or asked us how this is going to affect the dealership,” said Mark Lacher, the executive manager of Koeppel Nissan, located at 74-15 Northern Boulevard. “No one has told us why it is being done. I’m expecting a tremendous negative effect on my business and on the community. When I have to line my cars up for service, it’s going to line up against the residential area now instead of the commercial area like it used to. If the customers are waiting for service and they are blocking someone’s driveway, people are not going to be happy.”