In an effort to reduce congestion, the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) will restrict curbside parking and loading along Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights and Corona during weekdays for six months.
The plan was first announced in October 2017 when Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would look to ease congestion in busy thoroughfares in the five boroughs. The pilot program to test curb access restriction will begin on March 19.
For six months, curbside loading will be banned on both sides of the street on the pilot corridor between Broadway to 108th Street during peak hours from 7 a.m. through 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. through 7 p.m.
Passengers will still be able to be picked up and dropped off in the area and deliveries will be allowed in off-street loading docks.
The corridor was chosen because it carries high levels of traffic and experiences “significant blockages by double parking and delivery activity,” according to the city. The NYPD will monitor the locations to keep curbs clear.
Data will be collected on traffic congestion, double parking, delivery activity and curb regulation compliance before and after the six-month pilot period.
The NYPD will also increase enforcement on cars who “block the box” at 50 key intersections around the city. The DOT will install special markings and update signage to make drivers aware of these restrictions while the NYPD will hire 50 officers to enforce the rules.
The Clear Intersections initiative, which was implemented earlier this month, is in effect at the following intersections in Queens:
- Queens Boulevard & Skillman Avenue, Long Island City;
- Northern Boulevard & Queens Boulevard, Long Island City;
- Queens Boulevard & Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside;
- Astoria Boulevard & 31st Street, Astoria;
- 21st Street & 49th Avenue, Long Island City;
- Laurel Hill Boulevard & 65th Place, Woodside;
- Queens Midtown Expressway service road & Grand Avenue, Maspeth;
- Main Street & Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing;
- 71st Avenue & Austin Street; Forest Hills;
- 37th Avenue & 138th Street, Flushing;
- Metropolitan Avenue & 60th Street, Ridgewood/Middle Village; and
- Queens Plaza South service road & 28th Street, Long Island City.
