Eyes on the Street: A Slow Zone Takes Shape in East Elmhurst

Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

Clarence snapped these shots of a new Slow Zone in East Elmhurst/Jackson Heights, where DOT is putting in 20 mph signage and street markings, including a wide striped median on 30th Avenue that reduces the number of lanes pedestrians must cross.

Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

The 20 mph area includes a strip shopping center with over a dozen stores, bounded by 75th and 77th Streets and 30th and 31st Avenues, which Clarence says is a crash-prone location with a lot of auto traffic.

Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

Clarence says the striped median on 30th Avenue, which measures about 12 feet, has already improved the pedestrian environment. “Anecdotally, the times I have been over there since they installed the Slow Zone, it does appear like cars are going slower.”

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