March 18, 2016 Staff Report
A challenging intersection on Astoria Boulevard got a new traffic light recently.
The traffic light was installed at Astoria Boulevard South and 43rd Street, following community advocacy for further safety measures at this intersection, according to Council Member Costa Constantinides’ office.
There is no normally functioning traffic light along Astoria Boulevard on the three blocks between Steinway Street and 43rd Street, causing heavy and quick flows of traffic, Constantinides said. There is also low visibility at that corner for drivers making a right turn from 43rd Street onto Astoria Boulevard.
At this intersection, 43rd Street also serves as an outlet to the Grand Central Parkway and Brooklyn Queens Expressway for high volumes of drivers.
The new traffic light is expected to calm traffic here.
“The vast quantity of cars along the Astoria Boulevard thoroughfare, combined with the drivers driving at high speeds to get to the Grand Central or BQE, created a dangerous traffic situation,” he added. “This new light will help ameliorate these issues.”
Assembly Member Aravella Simotas said this traffic light will benefit both drivers and pedestrians.
“It will help residents on 43rd Street by slowing down speeding cars and it’s going to make drivers safer too,” she said. “That means fewer accidents and injuries, which we can all appreciate.”
