You are reading

Elected Officials Call on DOT to Improve Traffic Safety at Busy Forest Hills Intersection

Pedestrians must cross three sections of traffic to get across Union Turnpike at Park Lane (Photo courtesy of AM Hevesi’s office)

April 21, 2022 By Allie Griffin

Two Queens lawmakers are calling on the city to make traffic safety upgrades at a busy intersection located on the border of Forest Hills and Kew Gardens.

Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi and Council Member Lynn Schulman — along with the leaders of Queens community boards 6 and 9 — penned a letter Tuesday to the Department of Transportation requesting enhanced traffic controls at the intersection of Union Turnpike and Park Lane.

They asked DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to increase the allotted walk time provided by the traffic signal for pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians must cross three sections of traffic within a time period that the elected leaders deem too short.

The lawmakers and board members said the intersection is heavily trafficked, with a significant number of turning vehicles. They said many seniors and children who live in the area have difficulty crossing the intersection in time.

“This exclusively residential area is home to a large number of seniors, young families, young children/infants, school-aged children, and people from all walks of life who deserve to traverse our neighborhoods safely,” they wrote.

“With controls as currently set, there is simply not enough time for people to cross the three sections of road needed to carry about their daily lives, particularly with rushed drivers often racing to beat traffic lights and blocking intersections.”

They also asked the DOT to conduct a full traffic safety study of Union Turnpike from Queens Boulevard to Woodhaven Boulevard to address similar concerns at other intersections.

The local officials penned the letter after the DOT initially denied the request from Queens Community Board 9. The department said that increasing the crossing time for pedestrians at the intersection was unfeasible, according to the letter. It isn’t clear why the change couldn’t be made.

However, Hevesi, Schulman and Queens Community Board 6 decided to get behind the request — determined to get action from the DOT.

Community Board 9 also held a rally at the intersection last Thursday to push the DOT to make improvements.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Run through the cold: 4 February races in Queens to help keep your New Year’s resolutions

Feb. 4, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Amid the busy month of February, with Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and even snow days, it can be easy to lose track of your running schedule. During these cold winter months, the urge to stay indoors and avoid the harsh winds is strong. However, having the support of friends, family, and the local community can be the motivation needed to lace up your running shoes and push forward. Stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions and sign up for these races in Queens this month, some of which benefit important causes.

Karaoke dispute turns violent as woman attacks man over microphone: NYPD

Police from the 109th Precinct in Flushing are looking for a crazed karaoke singer who attacked a 24-year-old man during the early morning hours of Monday, Jan. 20, and remains at large.

The assault occurred at 4 a.m. inside the 9Plus KTV & Party Lounge, located at 136-28 39th Ave., when a blonde woman began arguing with the victim over a karaoke microphone. The suspect picked up a metal drink pitcher and smashed him in the head with it, causing serious physical injury to the victim, police said Monday.