Traffic tie-ups on Queens Boulevard between Woodhaven Boulevard and the Long Island Expressway are normally bad on weekends, but it figures to be even worse come the weekend of Aug. 20-21.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that it will close the six-lane main portion of Queens Boulevard between 57th Avenue in Elmhurst and 63rd Road in Rego Park from 11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, until 5 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22.
The shutdown is required in order for crews to “make urgent repairs to the Woodhaven Boulevard bridge over Queens Boulevard” near the Queens Center mall. Woodhaven Boulevard, however, will remain open during repairs.
All traffic on Queens Boulevard will be directed to the service roads, effectively merging in both directions four lanes of traffic into two lanes. Parking in the area of the work zone will be restricted in order to accommodate vehicles, according to a DOT notice that QNS received.
To help reduce the amount of traffic through the area, the DOT will also close the exit ramp leading from the westbound Long Island Expressway to the westbound lanes of Queens Boulevard.
The closure of the main portion of Queens Boulevard will likely cause significant delays not only for drivers but also for commuters who use the Q59 and Q60 buses, which travel on the Queens Boulevard service roads in the area. It will likely also impact the Q21, Q29, Q38, Q52 and Q53 buses, which stop near the Queens Center mall.
As a result, drivers and commuters should seek alternate routes through the area and, if possible, use the subway; the R train stops at Woodhaven Boulevard on weekends.
For more information, visit the DOT’s website or call 311.
