Streetsblog

This Week: Tell de Blasio and DOT to Make 111th Street Safer

Last year DOT unveiled a redesign of 111th Street, a dangerous speedway that separates Corona residents from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The DOT plan -- for fewer car traffic lanes, expanded medians, new crosswalks, and a two-way protected bike lane adjacent to the park -- was developed in response to a grassroots campaign. It has the backing of Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, but Queens Community Board 4 has failed to endorse the project, and Assembly Member Francisco Moya is determined to torpedo safety improvements for the street.

By Streetsblog

12:15 PM EDT on October 3, 2016

Last year DOT unveiled a redesign of 111th Street, a dangerous speedway that separates Corona residents from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The DOT plan — for fewer car traffic lanes, expanded medians, new crosswalks, and a two-way protected bike lane adjacent to the park — was developed in response to a grassroots campaign. It has the backing of Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, but Queens Community Board 4 has failed to endorse the project, and Assembly Member Francisco Moya is determined to torpedo safety improvements for the street.

DOT could implement the project over objections from CB 4 and Moya if it chooses to. Tomorrow local residents and Ferreras-Copeland will again call on Mayor de Blasio and DOT to make 111th Street safer, at a morning rally outside City Hall.

See the calendar for complete listings. Here are this week’s highlights:

Tuesday: Mothers and families from Corona and Jackson Heights will demand that Mayor de Blasio take action on delayed safety improvements planned for 111th Street with a rally at City Hall. 11 a.m.
Wednesday: Transportation Alternatives hosts the Bike Friendly Astoria Workshop, to identify potential improvements for safer cycling and walking in the neighborhood. 6:30 p.m.
Also Wednesday: The Manhattan Community Board 8 transportation committee will look at proposed Select Bus Service for the M79, review service on the year-old M86 SBS route, and address the two recent pedestrian fatalities at 71st Street and Third Avenue. 6:30 p.m.
Thursday: The City Council transportation committee holds an oversight hearing on improving city bus service. Public testimony will be accepted. 10 a.m.

Check the calendar for updates, and drop us a line if there’s an event we should know about.

Streetsblog

This piece was the work of the Streetsblog staff.

Streetsblog

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.