By Gina Martinez
In an effort to protect pedestrians and commuters along 32nd Avenue in northeast Queens, City Councilman Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) and the city Department of Transportation have installed three speed humps and posted multiple “No Thru Truck Traffic” signs.
Vallone said 32nd Avenue near Bowne Park is considered a dangerous stretch of road due to the lack of traffic calming devises such as stop signs and traffic signals that put parents and children at risk as they cross the thoroughfare to get to the park.
The speed humps have been installed along 32nd Avenue between 155th and 159th streets.
“The safety of our children and their families is always a priority,” Vallone said. “For too long have the residents of northeast Queens dealt with a dangerous situation at Bowne Park, lacking even a single crosswalk to safely cross 32nd Avenue into the park. These speed humps will go a long way towards improving their safety and I look forward to continuing to work with the DOT and our civic organizations to determine what additional measures can be implemented.”
Vallone had support from Community Board 7, the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association and Bowne Park Civic Association. Barbara Embriano, president of the Bowne Park Civic Association, pushed to install the signs and humps after residents raised concerns about the speeding cars near Bowne Park, where children go to play everyday.
“We have continuously received complaints from our neighbors and friends of Bowne Park regarding the speeding cars along that perimeter leg of the park and the inability of parents with baby carriages and children on bikes to safely cross over 32nd Avenue due to rapidly moving traffic,” she said “These speed bumps will serve the greater good of the population of neighbors and friends who come to the park to enjoy the green space in the middle of our beautiful neighborhood.”
The installation of speed humps is not the only measure Vallone has taken to make the roads safer. His bill to curb truck traffic has led to the DOT placing “No Thru Truck Traffic” signs along 32nd Avenue at Linden Place and Francis Lewis Boulevard. The signs will stop illegal truck traffic barreling along 32nd Avenue, according to Vallone.
“I am proud to have passed this bill that is a huge win for the safety and quality of life of thousands of our city’s pedestrians,” Vallone said. “Combined with the additional measures taken by the DOT, this legislation will go a long way towards reducing the amount of illegal truck traffic on residential streets.”
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
