for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com JUNE 13, 2013 • The queens Courier 25 LIC BIKE LANES TO GET A MAKEOVER BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] Vernon Boulevard’s bike lanes are set to get a makeover this summer to provide extra safety for riders and more space for drivers. According to a plan the Department of Transportation (DOT) presented to Community Board 2 on June 6, the two one-way bike paths on each side of Vernon Boulevard would become a twoway protected lane. The lane would have a five-foot buffer running alongside the west side of the street. The lanes would also be painted green to provide easier visibility. “This project is intended to knit together existing sections of the greenway by providing a continuous, protected bike lane serving neighborhoods along the East River waterfront,” said DOT spokesperson Nicholas Mosquera. The existing bike lanes were set up as part of the Queens East River Greenway in 2008, which connects the waterfront from Hallet’s Cove in Astoria to 45th Road in Hunters Point. After hearing community concerns over the lack of parking, DOT also plans to create a protected bike path through Rainey Park in Astoria. That would free up 35 parking spaces between 34th Avenue and 33rd Road. According to the plan, the two-way bike lane will help beginning riders feel more comfortable on the streets and bring more bicyclists to the path. The wider path would allow joggers to benefit from the space, too. “The project, which DOT has proposed for implementation this summer, has the support of Community Board 1 and the agency continues to work with Community Board 2 on this initiative,” said Mosquera. Photo/Powerpoint Courtesy of the Department of Transportation POLS, UNION: BRING BACK SUBWAY BOOTHS BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] Safety comes first. On Thursday, June 6, members of the Transport Workers Union Local 100 and elected officials gathered in front of the Steinway Street subway station in Astoria. They called on the MTA to restore station token booths and agents to provide safer rides for commuters. “We are no longer going to accept the MTA taking necessary services away from our community,” said Michele Gilliam, member of the political action team for TWU Local 100. “This is a security issue, this is a safety issue.” In 2010, more than 100 booths were removed across the city’s subway system, the Steinway Street station’s booth among them. “When people need someone, when they need help, they need to be able to know that there is someone there to care for them,” said Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer. “I want to make sure that Astorians are safe, all New Yorkers are safe.” According to the union members, who collected signatures for a petition calling for the restoration of the booth, bringing the station agents back will provide riders with up-to-date information, help tourists and increase safety for subway riders. According to the MTA, it has no plans of adding booths at this time, saying there is at least one manned booth at every station. “We will continue to work collaboratively with the NYPD on strategies to reduce crime,” said a spokesperson, adding the MTA is “seeing dramatic results with an overall 20 percent reduction in crime from the previous year.” The MTA also said it is in the process of installing Help Point Intercoms at over 100 stations within the next 18 months. Each subway station will be equipped with around 10 intercoms customers can use to ask for directions or report an emergency with the touch of a button. Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Herbal Treatments Your #1 solution for lower back pain, headache and TMJ problems At CNS Rehabilitation Center solutions, our mission is to provide exceptional, progressive and cost effective Rehabilitation services through personalized care that emphasizes functional independence for you. This allows you to recover quickly and resume your normal activities faster than ever before. We strive to provide the highest quality of physical therapy, Acupuncture and herbal treatments services by providing hands on and customized care. ESWT/SHOCKWAVE: Heel Pain Tennis Elbow Shoulder Pain Carpal Tunnel Plantar Fasciitis Spinal Decompression: Back/Neck Pain Disc Herniation Disc Degeneration Sciatica/Radiculitis Spinal Stenosis Acupuncture/ Herbal Treatment: Infertility Stomach Ache Insomnia • Headaches Asthma • Allergies Bells Palsy • Stroke Call CNS Rehabilitation Center or visit us on the web at www.cnsrehabilitation.com 63-60 102ND ST, #G22 REGO PARK, NY 11374 718-896-2011
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