Big Changes Coming For Queens Arteries
“Slow zones” will soon be implemented on three of Queens’ busiest roadways as part of the “Vision Zero” traffic safety initiative, officials announced at a Long Island City press conference last Thursday, May 1.
The “Arterial Slow Zones” will bring reduced speed limits and prolonged traffic signal times in an effort to reduce accidents involving serious injuries or fatalities to drivers and pedestrians alike.
Later this month, the city Department of Transportation (DOT) will institute an Arterial Slow Zone on Northern Boulevard between 40th Road in Long Island City and 114th Street in East Elmhurst. The 4.2-mile stretch has seen five pedestrian fatalities in the last five years.
Then in June, the DOT will implement similar changes on nearly the entire length of Queens Boulevard between Jackson Avenue in Long Island City and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica. Living up to its morbid nickname as the “Boulevard of Death,” the 7.2-mile segment of Queens Boulevard has seen 23 fatalities in accidents since 2008.
Finally, the DOT will institute an Arterial Slow Zone in August on a 5.4-mile stretch of Rockaway Boulevard between 75th Street in Ozone Park and Farmers Boulevard in Jamaica. Reportedly, nine people died in accidents on the roadway in the last five years.
Similar slow zones will also be installed in the months to come on six major roadways in the other four boroughs.
City Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan, City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and State Sen. Michael Gianaris announced these changes during last Thursday’s press conference, held at the corner of Northern Boulevard and 39th Avenue.
The arterial slow zones are part of the Vision Zero campaign, launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier this year, with the goal of reducing deadly accidents on city streets through a combination of roadway improvements and enhanced police enforcement.
“With the announcement of 13 Arterial Slow Zone locations, communities in all five boroughs will soon enjoy safer corridors as part of this crucial Vision Zero initiative,” Trottenberg said.
“Vision Zero is a commitment made to have safer streets and roadways. With proper enforcement, the [DOT]’s Arterial Slow Zones will improve pedestrian safety,” added Chan.
“These slow zones will save lives,” Van Bramer said. “Northern Boulevard and Queens Boulevard are two of the highest trafficked and most dangerous roads in Queens. Fighting these tragic and ultimately preventable deaths is a fundamental and moral obligation.”
“Too many lives have been lost on Northern and Queens boulevards, and on many other dangerous roads throughout our city,” Gianaris said. “Today, I join with community leaders, transit advocates and all New Yorkers who don’t want to fear for their lives each time they cross a street in applauding Mayor [Bill] de Blasio and the DOT for taking swift action toward making our collective goal of Vision Zero a reality.”
On each Arterial Slow Zone, drivers will be held to a 25 mph speed limit, five miles lower than the current speed limit on Queens Boulevard and most other city streets. Blue and white signs and electronic speed boards will be posted along each roadway informing drivers of the changes.
Signal times will also be changed to allow pedestrians more time to cross the street. The Police Department will also increase patrols at each Arterial Slow Zone to stop those who break traffic laws.
Other elected officials in Queens praised the new slow zones last Thursday.
“The time has come to put an end to the hazardous conditions along Northern Boulevard,” said Rep. Joseph Crowley. “The implementation of this new slow zone will go a long way toward ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.”
“No one should ever have to endure the heartbreak of losing a loved one who is crossing the street, especially since the solution is so simple,” added Rep. Carolyn Maloney. “We need drivers to slow down to save lives.”
“Slowing down traffic will make it safer and help save lives because we know that when people come into contact with cars and trucks, it is the person who is always the loser,” said Assemblywoman Margaret Markey.
“A slow zone is a great way to help reduce accidents and fatalities” along Rockaway Boulevard, said Assemblyman Mike Miller. “In addition, I look forward to working with DOT to implement ‘Dedicated Crossing Times’ for pedestrians, during which there will be no moving vehicular traffic, and other actions that will support the Vision Zero plan.”
“Not a day goes by without someone narrowly escaping a collision or noticing an unsafe traffic pattern on Queens Boulevard,” said City Council Member Karen Koslowitz. “By including it as an arterial slow zone, we are ensuring that no one who crosses this roadway feels as though his or her life is at risk.”
“Bringing an arterial slow zone to Northern Boulevard is a huge victory for our community,” said City Council Member Julissa Ferreras. “After partnering with local parents and street safety groups like Make Queens Safer, I am happy that Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero plan is bringing new safety initiatives to this heavily used corridor.”
Queens residents can provide further input on the Vision Zero plan at two upcoming workshops on Wednesday, May 21, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Astoria’s Bohemian Hall, located at 29-19 24th Ave.; and on Thursday, May 29, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave.
For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dot or www.nyc.gov/visionzero.
