After not being repaved for over 25 years, Jamaica Avenue’s much-needed makeover through south Queens has been completed.
On Friday, Oct. 20, Councilman I. Daneek Miller joined Nicole Garcia of the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), representatives of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), elected officials and community leaders to celebrate the resurfacing of Jamaica Avenue.
“Jamaica Avenue runs through the heart of our community’s bustling Jamaica commercial district,” Miller said. “Years of neglect forced consumers and suppliers to use this crucial artery under hazardous conditions that detracted from the economic growth of local businesses, and left pedestrians prone to injury. This repaving underscores the public recognition that Jamaica’s appeal extends beyond the boundaries of Southeast Queens to all of our city’s residents.”
During a town hall meeting that Miller hosted last September, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that Jamaica Avenue would be resurfaced. The first phase of the project was completed later that year, with seven lane-miles of the thoroughfare between Francis Lewis Boulevard and 224th Street being repaved.
The newly resurfaced portion of Jamaica Avenue spans 12.74 total lane miles, or 2.2 miles, including traffic lanes and a parking lane in each direction. In addition to the repaving, almost 100 corner pedestrian ramps were repaired, and over 19,000 square feet of sidewalk and more than 1,200 feet of curbs were repaired or replaced.
“This resurfacing makes Jamaica Avenue safer and work better for everyone who lives, travels or does business in this community,” said Garcia, the DOT’s Queens borough commissioner. “While the fresh asphalt gives everyone a smoother surface, we also improved safety around schools by installing concrete islands to shorten crossing distances, adding new pedestrian signals and fixing and replacing sidewalks, curbs and pedestrian ramps.”
