Temporary Lines on Northern Boulevard (Photo: Council Member Koo)
Feb. 27, 2019 By Jon Cronin
The lane markings on a 1.5 mile stretch of Northern Boulevard are barely visible and a number of Flushing lawmakers are calling on the Department of Transportation to paint them properly.
“It’s hazardous and unacceptable,” said a spokesperson for Council Member Peter Koo’s office today.
Last week state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky and Koo held a press conference on the boulevard to put pressure on the DOT to paint the lanes. The 1.5 mile stretch between College Point Boulevard and 156th Street has not had permanent lane markings for the past two months–since the strip was repaved.
The DOT told legislators that the permanent paint it uses won’t stick in cold weather. The agency has instead put down temporary lines, but the chalky-looking lines have faded due to weather and road wear.
After last week’s press conference, the temporary lines were reapplied. However, Koo’s office believes they will soon fade, particularly after it snows.
“[The DOT] will just have to do it again. This has gone on way too long,” Koo’s spokesperson said.
Koo, at the press conference last week, said that he is concerned about safety.
“We understand that delays happen, but Northern Boulevard is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor that deserves to be treated as the highest priority,” Koo said.
The DOT issued a statement saying that there is little it could do given the weather.
“The DOT installed temporary markings along Northern Boulevard last month,” according to a spokesperson. “We have expressed to Councilman Koo, Assemblyman [Ed] Braunstein, and state Sen. Stavisky that this area is a priority, and we have reinstalled temporary markings this week. More permanent ones can go down once weather permits.”
Stavisky wants the DOT to put the markings down on the first warm day.
“This is an accident waiting to happen,” Stavisky said. “It’s hard to see the lanes, especially at night.”
Northern Boulevard–from College Point Blvd to 156th
(Image: Google Maps)
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2 Comments
They also need to put lane lines on the BQE from Roosevelt Ave all the way to the Grand Central Pkwy.
I’m in full agreement with “This is an accident waiting to happen,” Stavisky said. “It’s hard to see the lanes, especially at night.” It is difficult as well in the bright light of a sun low in the sky too.