From LIC Post:
Elected officials held a press conference on Friday to draw the public’s attention to the number of pedestrian deaths/injuries in the Queens Plaza and Dutch Kills neighborhoods.
The event was held following the death of a pedestrian at Queens Plaza on Sept. 13 who was crossing from the south side of Queens Plaza to the north side. The woman’s death followed a July incident where a woman almost died crossing Queens Plaza as well.
“We have a growing epidemic where pedestrians are not safe and we are calling on the DOT [Department of Transportation] to make it safer,” said Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer.
Van Bramer said Queens Plaza is becoming one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city, as residential towers and hotels continue to be built—while corporations flock to the area. With this influx, “a greater number of people are living and working here—and are crossing the street,” Van Bramer said.
A common problem cited by business owners and residents is that the pedestrian countdown clock is too short and pedestrians don’t have enough time to cross the street. Officials want the pedestrian time clock to be extended.
Furthermore, the bike lanes are not clearly visible—putting pedestrians at risk of being hit by cyclists. Van Bramer said that there is a greater need for bike-lane signage.
Pardon me, but didn't we just spend millions reconfiguring Queens Plaza to "make it safer?"
20 comments:
Getting creamed by a car at QP is just collateral damage. Live with it.
George
You sound like that other George, Mr Millstones are rocks and Mr Upzone!
That Dutch Kills Civic feller.
First, 2 people dying (which is unfortunate) is not a growing epidemic. Two, the solution for this is simple and common sense like many quality of life issue in NYC. Just change the damn timing of the light countdown clocks. Second mark the lanes clearly. Third add a traffic officer.
If you really want to do something, install a walking bridge. It is not expensive to do, it can be done in this area and it solves the problem. Other cities have such bridges with problematic areas.
It is not fucking rocket science and you do not need to hold a fucking press conference. You just need to come up with a simple action plan and do it.
Why the fuck is everything like building the pyramids.
Now send me my $100,000 consulting fee because you know you will spend over triple that amount in feasibility studies, outside consultants and other bullshit and by that time, you actually do it, do it wrong and then have to start over, 100 people will have been killed and then you can call it an epidemic.
The solution the the problem is very simple.....Pedestrian Overpasses .... No stopping for either traffic or pedestrians
Soon there will be lanes for rickshaws...
Innovative ideas, just like Jimmy no-brainer!
How would a pedestrian bridge not run into the elevated subway platform?
There is already an overpass - the walkway leading to the elevated station has stairs on either side of the plaza.
kingofnycabbies said...
How would a pedestrian bridge not run into the elevated subway platform?
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It is not a high pedestrian bridge and it would go right through the openings where the walkways are right now.
The problem is pedestrians jaywalk. If you cross the street or stand in the street when cars have the green light and you get hit its your fault not the cars. No redesign or bike lane will stop people from crossing when and where they aren't supossed to.
But where exactly would this bridge cross the inbound and outbound platforms, situated on two levels? Below, it'd run into clearance problems with 18-wheelers; above, would scarcely be worth it.
There was barely (and wasnt) enough space for two modes of travel: vehicle and pedestrian.
now, you added a third dedicated right-of-way, without really fixing the first two, and wonder why there are still problems?
Mr. Cabbie, you are probably not going to be able to figure this out, that's why we have what are called civil engineers. Hopefully the mayor and councilman no-brainer have also heard of this option.
there is already a pedestrian overpass. The subway stop above has steps on either side of the street, and you do not need to pay to cross from one side to the other.
I dunno the bike lanes seem to be REALLY visible in the photo...
More $millions please.
Yes, it's a good paying job, but you are essentially locked up with the dregs of society for 40+ hours a week and have to put up with god knows what kind of violence and savagery. There is a personal cost to that; one I wouldn't be willing to bear even for the good salary and benefits.
Maybe people should be asking why the island runs its own bakery. It should be buying bread and cakes from a commercial operation instead of footing the overhead costs itself.
Folks, the photo illustrating this post was taken from a pedestrian overpass. You want another one? Pedestrians should not be allowed to cross Queens Plaza from North to South or East to West. Put up metal fence barricades like they have on Queens Boulevard.
Keep Queens Plaza Pedestrian Free!
I'm not sure that a plaza can be adequately do too many things-be a giant traffic artery to the bridge, a pedestrian mall, a bike path and also have a safe way to cross it all (and be a destroyer of queens history-the mill wheels).
Since the traffic will always be there, build a pedestrian bridge or adapt the present one so people don't get killed.
Even stupid pedestrians who don't look shouldn't be killed (although they may decide not to use the bridge...)
The park is an overgrown pigsty with an overpriced fussy architecture that does not fit with that location.
The Parks with an overstretched budget has to devote resources from other communities to maintain it.
The plants are already dying (and we only had one mild winter with little snow - wait till salt slush starts to fly in next winter)
The bridge exit has some quick band-aids after property was damaged and people seriously injured.
The 300 hundred year old millstones sit there repeatedly damaged and disrespected with an impressive list of police reports during their short stay as they await their final fate as someone with the right tools spirits them away or a nutcase with the right tools makes a statement to society. After all, their priceless historical importance is carefully delineated in a sign for all to see.
All this to sell real estate.
Millions that could have gone into cops, schools, hospitals went into this boondoggle that will look like shit the moment they stop pouring money into maintaining it so they can rush over to the next location for amenities on the next real estate deal.
Every time the train goes by not more than a handful of people are sitting in the noise and dirt ... with one sleeping or sitting on the millstones.
Who is responsible:
Penny Lee of City Planning (who should be designing jug handles for North Dakota farm roads after this disaster)
Mr Upzone - Millstones are Rocks - George Stamatiades of Dutch Kills Civic fame. A model civic worth its generous support of our taxes while most of the other groups in the area starve in neglect and squalor.
And Chrissy Quinn' buddy, Stonewall Van Bramer and Bloomberg's buddy Peter of Vallonia.
We could get into the community boards but you get the picture.
LIPSTICK ON A PIG!
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