By Mark Hallum
The city Department of Transportation and Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens) announced that a tricky Little Neck intersection would be modified for the safety of pedestrians and motorists.
The crossroads of Little Neck Parkway and Grand Central Parkway Service Road create conditions that make head-on collisions more likely and confuse pedestrians, the DOT said.
“Small changes can sometimes make a big difference in traffic flow and safety,” said Deputy Queens DOT Commissioner Albert Silvestri. “At this key intersection, where vehicles move between the busy Grand Central and Little Neck Parkways, adjusting the operation of the existing signal timing created a win-win for drivers and pedestrians that helps reduce conflicts and eases travel flow.”
While there had not been a fatality at the intersection in some years, there had been a number of accidents resulting in minor injury, according to the DOT.
“DOT has provided an effective solution to the long-standing traffic safety hazard at the intersection,” said Grodenchik. “I thank Felice Hannah and the residents of North Shore Towers for their steadfast advocacy.”
Residents of the area had been filing complaints about the dangerous conditions there in 2014, and while DOT’s study did not determine that a left turn signal was warranted, it did decide adjusting the signal’s timing would be beneficial.
The new signal timing began last month.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
