Queens needs a Better Northern Boulevard — from Queens Plaza to the city line.
Northern Boulevard is a dangerous barrier that divides our neighborhoods. Cars speed and run red lights with impunity. Ill-suited parking rules encourage double-parking, adding to the traffic chaos. Shallow commercial lots with auto-oriented land uses turn the sidewalk into a driving or a parking lane. Buses crawl along, weaving in and out of traffic every other block. Oversized trucks use the street illegally, and turn without regard for the safety of pedestrians. To the extent it works at all, the street is optimized for the convenience of drivers, rather than the safety of those who live, work, and shop in the area, or the children who cross it daily to reach schools and playgrounds. Recently, this has taken an unbearable toll in injuries and loss of life.
Make Queens Safer urgently calls for a comprehensive redesign to transform Northern Boulevard from an obsolete highway into a livable and safe main street. This will require a corridor approach, to enhance and protect intersecting and parallel streets as well. We’re looking to partner with elected officials, individuals and community groups to make this transformation happen. Please contact us at MakeQueensSafer@gmail.com.
Related:
- Eli Rosenberg, “Northern Blvd. intersection gets crossing guard but injured 6-year-old can’t attend school” Daily News, 9/18/2014.
- Brad Aaron, “Van Bramer: Deadly Northern Boulevard Should Be a Vision Zero Priority,” Streetsblog, 2/6/2014
- Angy Altamirano, “Pols call for Northern Boulevard to be included in mayor’s Vision Zero initiative,” Queens Courier, 2/6/2014
- Michael Florio, “Officials call on de Blasio to declare Northern Blvd as one of the city’s 50 dangerous streets” Sunnyside Post, 2/6/2014
- Brownstoner Queens, “Local Pols Want Safety Measures on Northern Boulevard,” 2/6/2014
- Josh Block, “At a Notorious Douglaston Intersection, Pedestrian Risks Remain Unaddressed,” LocalWriteUp.com, 1/8/2014
- Cap’n Transit Rides Again, “Leading pedestrian intervals and the left hook of death,” 1/4/2014
- Cap’n Transit Rides Again, “The safety culture of Northern Boulevard,” 12/25/2013
- Clare Trapasso, “Jackson Heights leaders push for slow zone on Northern Blvd.” Daily News, 4/3/2013
We also support the Transportation Alternatives Better and Safer Queens Boulevard Campaign!
