The overhaul is the final phase of the 7.5-mile redesign of Queens Boulevard, from Sunnyside to Kew Gardens, that began in 2015.
The thoroughfare has been called the “Boulevard of Death” for decades for the notoriously high number of cyclist and pedestrian deaths along it.
Pedestrian injuries decreased by 55 percent and total crashes dipped by 19 percent after the first three phases of the redesign were completed, according to DOT data.
Construction of Phase 4 was supposed to begin in the summer 2018 — but the work was pushed back to summer 2020 and now again to summer 2021.
The final phase has been repeatedly delayed due to opposition from the local community board and Council Member Karen Koslowitz, who said the loss of parking spots would hurt small businesses along the boulevard.
Community Board 6 voted against the plan in 2018, also citing the loss of parking spaces.
Koslowitz put forward an alternative plan in February 2020, which de Blasio agreed to review. Her plan, she said, would save the parking spots. Transit advocates, however, said her plan was not as safe as the DOT’s redesign.
De Blasio said today that the DOT is sticking to its original plan, not Koslowitz’s.
“The council member I think honestly felt that what she was proposing was a better approach for the community and we truly carefully listened to her, thought about, looked at but came to the conclusion that it wasn’t workable and that the original plan was fair,” he said. “I think there were some adjustments made, but it’s based essentially on the original plan.”
13 comments:
How many times has the Blaz bent this lady over?? Homeless shelter's neighborhood prisons, and now useless bike lanes. Hell of a job for your community KK. Totally useless. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
The community doesn't want it, the council critter doesn't want it, but hey we're getting it!!
Good and hard.
He just wants to leave you New Yorkers with as many useless farewell projects as he can think of before he becomes your next Governor by a landslide. Liberal love taking it.
To DeBlasio and City Council Members:
Thank you for letting the Bicyclists - "Transportation Alternatives" brainwash you into thinking bicycles & bicyclists are best alternative to cars, trucks, and vans.
They really must have paid all of you very well especially in Bribes & Kickbacks to give them what they wanted.
We drivers are just stupid enough to pay our High Registration Fees, Car Insurance Premiums, and High Property Taxes for all of you to give Bicyclists the Bike Lanes they don't deserve.
We know you all won't require them to require registration plates for the Bicycles, Mopeds, Motorcycles, and ATVs. God forbid they have to pay for the privilege's of Free bike lanes, Riding through Red Lights, Riding bicycles on the sidewalks, and going through Stop Signs.
You continue to give them what they demand without any accountability or enforcing them to follow the rules of the road.
But don't worry, when these Speed Demons run people down and run away, we know what you
politicians will do...IGNORE IT, LOOK THE OTHER WAY, and Pretend there is no problem with
reckless bicyclists.
Way to think of Public Safety. Especially for the Elderly, Disabled, and Law-Abiding Citizens.
I already pay High Registration Fees, Car Insurance Premiums, and High Property Taxes.
So you want me to pay more for my bicycle ? Shut up Fat !
If all Taxpayers in NYC have to pay install and maintain those Bike Lanes,
You should PAY MORE to Register your Bikes and have Registration Plates!!
You Reckless Speed DEMONS are always looking for excuses not to pay and not be held
Accountable for Running People over and suffering any consequences for it!!
Don't want to Pay?
Ride those Bicycles out of the City and Don't let Look Back!!
FAT, Empty-Headed, Self-Serving, Idiot!!!
Great news. I’m sure those with supersized fat asses will be disappointed.
Sexy Spandex Bike Loving Nut said...
Hey Fat loving tax payer, I don't have kids but I pay one of the nations highest school tax !
We all pay taxes to the general fund that pay for all sort of things that not everyone uses.
I get Mommy didn't let you ride a bike or play in the street so move on from the bike fees little buddy.
I'm a cyclist and a motorist. I see both sides. This is a terrible idea and he's pandoring to the bike lobby group hipsters that believe they are the most important group. Much of the businesses here rely heavily on people that live outside of MTA transit zones or where the service is especially bad. They should have built one lane both ways on the North side. This is going to destroy what's left of the working class in Queens (he's also building bike lane in Woodside and Astoria).
This is part of the "New Green Deal" ! Get use to it ...
Last week I was parked on Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills for almost two hours waiting to pick up someone at a doctor. Only saw two bicyclists going in the right direction but lots of motorized scooters by
food delivery people, most going the wrong direction. What a shame taking all those parking spots away hurting all those businesses. The bikers argument was that the businesses would get the business from the bikers, it ain't happening.
Build it and they will come!
We don't need no stinking parking spots.
Socialist Occasional-Cortex Parks Tesla Illegally Outside Whole Foods in Posh DC Neighborhood.
https://michaelsavage.com/spotted-socialist-aocs-tesla-parked-illegally-outside-whole-foods-in-posh-dc-neighborhood/
NYC bicyclists are killing pedestrians and the city won’t stop it
By Brad Hamilton August 31, 2019
NY POST
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