Sunnyside Gardens/Woodside Slow Zone
August 3, 2014 By Christian Murray
The Department of Transportation has put forward detailed plans that are expected to bring two slow zones to the residential streets of Sunnyside and Woodside by the end of the year.
The plans call for a slow zone that would cover the northern section of Sunnyside/Woodside and a separate zone than would cover the southern section of Sunnyside/Woodside.
Slow zones, upon entry, are marked by large blue signs that state the 20 mph speed limit. Within a zone, speed bumps and 20 mph markings are on some of the streets.
The two zones were selected by the Department of Transportation after the agency reviewed Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer’s request for them, which provided details such as the number of crashes, schools and daycare centers in the area.
The zone that covers the northern section of Sunnyside/Woodside has been named the “Sunnyside Garden-Woodside Slow Zone” by the Department of Transportation.
That zone is bound by 43rd Street to the West; Queens Blvd and Roosevelt Avenue to the south; 38th Avenue and Barnett Ave to the north; and 58th Street to the east.
Since 2007, there has been one death in that zone, with many people severely injured. Furthermore, there are six schools/daycare centers in the area.
The Department of Transportation proposal calls for the addition of 19 speed bumps to the “Sunnyside Garden-Woodside Slow Zone,” on top of the 13 that are already there. In addition, there would be 19 entrances to the slow zone that would be marked by the blue 20 mph gateway sign.
Meanwhile, on the south side of Queens Blvd, the slow zone—called the “Sunnyside Slow Zone” is bound by 36th Street to the west; 51st to the east; Queens Blvd to the north; and Laurel Hill Blvd to the south.
The Department of Transportation plans on adding 20 speed bumps to the existing eight speed bumps. There will be 32 entry points that will be marked by blue 20 mph gateway signs.
There have been four deaths in this zone since 2007, with many serious injuries. There are also four schools in the zone.
The DOT of transportation said that the speed zones help reduce injuries and deaths. It said that a pedestrian hit at 40 mph only has a 30% chance of surviving, while one hit at 20 mph has a 95% chance of surviving.
Community Board 2 is planning on holding a public meeting on the plans that is likely to take place within the next two weeks.
Full Presentation:
2014 09 02 Slow Zone Sunnyside and Sundside Gardens Woodside(1) by Queens Post on Scribd
