Community Board 2 Chair Denise Keehan-Smith Mayor Bill deBlasio NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Queens DOT Deputy Commissioner Nicole Garcia Senator Michael Gianaris Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan Assemblyman Brian Barnwell, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz Congressman Joseph Crowley
FROM: QueenStreets.net, an alliance of the undersigned, see 12 organization leader letters Skillman Project Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce Access Queens United Forties PS11 PTA PS150 PTA Mimar Sinan Camii Mosque Young Israel Synagogue Queen of Angels Church AR Rahman Jame Masjid Mosque Sunnyside Reformed Church Grace Fellowship Church St. Sebastian’s Church Over 2200 individuals and counting
We urge you to respect the crucial economic, operational, and daily needs, and quality of life of the majority of residents, businesses, houses of worship, merchants, and civic organizations in regard to safety measures proposed for Skillman and 43rd Avenues in Woodside/Sunnyside. We submit safety suggestions below to assist pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and we support measures which do not remove street parking and lanes of traffic. Of every local organization, representing over 8000, over 2200 individuals and counting, please note that 98% of undersigned are from the affected corridors and are the majority of our community.
SAFETY MEASURES we support include:
Queens Blvd.: Removal of narrow sidewalk next to 7 train viaduct, adding from adjacent lanes, and creating bike lane where there is none. Northern Blvd.: Create sorely needed motorist, pedestrian and bicycle safety on the more efficient through-route.
Skillman and 43rd Avenues: • Keep current painted bicycle lanes and make them prominent • Add traffic signals and stagger intersection signal timings to force vehicular stops • Time lights so as to allow cyclists and pedestrians an earlier and isolated interval to proceed against traffic • Add speed limit, one-way, and “No Through Trucks” signs • Encourage those double-parking while making deliveries, to do so on side without bicycle lane. • Greater enforcement of laws in place for motorists, bicycles and pedestrians • As advised by fire officials, do not create difficulty for turning onto Skillman Ave from firehouse • Add street cameras