By Gina Martinez
A busy Flushing intersection will finally be getting a crosswalk after a push from elected officials.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and state Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) announced the city Department of Transportation will install a crosswalk across Blossom Avenue on the west side of Main Street.
The crosswalk, which is expected to be painted before the end of the year, is a result of ongoing efforts Schumer and Rozic have made with DOT for a traffic study at the intersection. In 2015 alone, one pedestrian died and five were injured at the busy intersection.
Schumer said that for too long, the intersection has been a problem-plagued location for nearby residents and businesses.
“I’m pleased that, with the help of Assemblywoman Rozic and local community leaders, the NYC Department of Transportation has heeded our call by moving forward with a plan to make this intersection safer,” Schumer said. “A new crosswalk will help ensure the safety of pedestrians frequenting the bustling area by providing a visual cue to drivers.”
In October 2015, Rozic wrote to DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia requesting that traffic-calming measures be installed at the intersection. Rozic’s letter cited a crash that occurred that month in which a young couple were struck trying to cross the street, and the high volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the neighborhood. The intersection is in the middle of a busy area that includes multiple public schools, residential buildings, the Public Health Solutions’ Neighborhood WIC Center, Queens Botanical Garden, and SelfHelp Rosenthal Senior Center. The intersection currently has no traffic calming measures.
Rozic said she was proud of the efforts that went into securing the traffic study and thanked Schumer and community partners for their work in prioritizing the safety of everyone traveling through the area.
“The Flushing community has consistently advocated for traffic safety improvements in the neighborhood and I am glad to finally announce DOT’s plan to install a crosswalk across Blossom Avenue,” she said.
Schumer and Rozic said the announcement marked a significant step forward in providing the Flushing community with improvements that will ensure the safety of all who frequent the area. They also said the crosswalk is a reflection of the collaborative efforts between local electeds, including Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing), state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing) and U.S. Rep. Meng (D-Flushing), who joined Rozic at a news conference last year to implement traffic calming measures at the heavily trafficked intersection.
“The installation of this crosswalk will go a long way towards improving the safety for all who travel through the area,” Meng said.
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
