Scrutiny Over Forest Hills Intersection Changes Voiced At Board 6 Meeting -CONTINUED FROM PG. 3- Boulevard from 51st Avenue. “After people had a period of adjustment to the changes, we saw a 67 percent reduction in car to pedestrian crashes,” Hall explained, “as well as a 58 percent reduction in motor vehicle crashes at that intersection.” Project Managers Nicole Altmix and Kessia De Leo from the DOT’s Research Implementation and Safety Group joined Hall at the podium. According to Hall, both Altmix and De Leo studied conditions at the Yellowstone intersection, developed the plan and managed the process for making changes on the ground. Hall reassured the public that her team remains open to residents’ opinions and suggestions. “We do know that people have raised concerns, and we want to listen to what you’re saying,” she added. “Our goal here tonight is to be listeners and to understand what you’re seeing in the field.” Shifting the problem One resident observed an increase in traffic tie-ups and unsafe conditions near J.H.S. 190, Russell Sage Junior High School. “The Queens Boulevard danger site shifted to Austin Street and Yellowstone,” he explained. Forest Hills resident Alexa Weitzman observed similar conditions outside her residence across Queens Boulevard, on the corner of Yellowstone Boulevard and 69th Road. According to Weitzman, vehicles that can no longer make the left turn onto westbound Queens Boulevard have now been rerouted to her block, creating a bottleneck situation. “People forced to go straight on Yellowstone Boulevard are forced to make a left turn onto 69th Road, which is a tiny, little road,” she explained. Weitzman went on to cite quality of life issues, such as blocked intersections and continuous horn honking outside her building, as areas of concern. “During high volume traffic hours, like the morning and evening rush, Yellowstone Boulevard is backed up well past 69th Road,” she stated. Weitzman explained that she is generally in favor of the left turn ban, but feels that more needs to be done in conjunction with the change. “I think there has to be a more overarching study,” she added. Weitzman also suggested the creation of wider crosswalks and additional barricades. Carolyn Harrs, Weitzman’s neighbor and fellow Mayflower building resident, echoed many of these concerns. “I almost got hit trying to cross my little corner there because it’s so difficult for cars to make that left onto 69th Road,” she explained. Harrs questioned whether left turning lanes and arrows would be more effective at the problematic intersections. Board 6 Transportation Committee member Peter Beadle weighed in on the matter. Like Harrs, Beadle also inquired about the creation of left turnings and signals. He also advocated for a possible change in traffic light patterns to accommodate turning vehicles while allowing for a better flow of traffic. Beadle also suggested the installation of way-finding signs to help familiarize non-local drivers with the area and help them navigate northbound Yellowstone Boulevard once they traverse Queens Boulevard. “We have a lot of people coming down Yellowstone that are not locals,” Beadle explained, “and so all they know is that they have to get back onto Queens Boulevard and go left.” Like many residents, Beadle voiced disappointment over the lack of public input prior to the implementation of the ban. “I generally support banning left hand turns, but thought we were going to get more opportunity for feedback and some answers,” Beadle explained. “There was definitely a sense that there would be more presentations before the final rule, but that didn’t really seem to play out.” Hennessy echoed the concerns of residents and asked Hall and the DOT to look into conditions at 69th Road and Yellowstone. “We need an outlet and we’re not getting it,” he stated. Hall acknowledged the public’s apprehension over the changes and called the plan a “work in progress.” She asked residents to give the ban some time and estimated a 6 to 8 month Dalila Hall, the Department of Transportation’s Queens borough commissioner (at podium), addressed residents during last Wednesday’s Community Board 6 meeting. (photo: Kelly Marie Mancuso) period of adjustment. “Just in this brief time that we’ve implemented the changes, the precinct has seen a noticeable difference at this location,” she explained. Zapata voiced his support of Hall and the ban. “No one likes change,” he stated, “but we have to consider the greater good it does.” According to Hennessy, this issue will now be assigned to the Community Board 6 Transportation Committee. Hennessy hopes the committee will then come back with a recommendation for the entire board during next month’s December meeting. Countdown clocks Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi was also on hand to advocate for the creation of safety measures at intersections throughout Queens Boulevard. Hevesi expressed a need for “countdown clocks” along the boulevard similar to those in use in other parts of Queens which stagger time and allow pedestrians extra time to traverse busy intersections. Hevesi also cited the need to audio prompts, or “tweeting” sounds, at crosswalks to help visually impaired pedestrians. The plan has already been implemented in Albany. “These are two good ideas that I wish were mine,” Hevesi stated, “My office has reached out to the DOT on both.” * * * Community Board 6’s next meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday night, Dec. 10, at 7:45 p.m. at the Kew Gardens Community Center, located at 80-02 Kew Gardens Rd., Suite 202. For more information, call Board 6’s Forest Hills office at 1-718-263-9250. Travel Agency Bandits Hit Again -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- Both incidents remain under investigation by the 106th Precinct Detective Squad, police said.A nyone with information regarding the robberies or the suspects’ whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to call the 106th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-845-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Information may also be sent to Crime Stoppers via text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All calls and messages will be kept confidential. Council Passes Collection Bin Bill -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- “The illegal clothing bins popping up across Queens have no place on public sidewalks,” Crowley, who voted in support of the bill said. “My office has seen a recent influx of complaints regarding these bins and it was time for the City to step up enforcement. I want to deeply thank Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito for spearheading this legislation, and tackling a very serious quality of life concern in our community.” The measure was sponsored by City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, it was noted. MTA To Consider Four Percent Fare Hike In 2015 -CONTINUED FROM PG. 10- will rise by $4.50, from $112 to $116.50, while the 7-day card will go up by a buck, from $30 to $31.O ne fare proposal would increase the MTA base fare by 25 cents, to $2.75; express bus fares would increase from $6 to $6.50. Customers purchasing pay-perride MetroCards would get an 11 percent bonus when putting $5.50 or more on their cards, an increase from the current 5 percent. The other plan would leave the base fare unchanged at $2.50 (express bus fare would stay at $6), but the 5 percent pay-perride bonus would be eliminated. As for the Long Island Rail Road, in which fares are based on the distance traveled, City Ticket prices would increase from $4 to $4.25. This fare is for all LIRR travel within the city’s limits. Monthly and weekly fares on other parts of the LIRR system would increase by less than 4.25 percent. Drivers will also pay more to cross the MTA Bridges and Tunnels, which include the Cross Bay Veterans, Gil Hodges Memorial, Whitestone, Throgs Neck and Robert F. Kennedy bridges and the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. Passenger car tolls will rise by four percent for all EZPass holders, but the base toll for cars paying cash may rise from $7.50 to $8 (for the Cross Bay and Gil Hodges bridges, from $3.75 to $4). Truck tolls may increase from between four and 12 percent. Residents will get the chance to speak out about the fare and toll increases at a series of public hearings the MTA will hold next month. The Queens hearing will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. at the Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center at York College, Main Stage Theater, located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica. The Brooklyn hearing takes place on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. at the Walt Whitman Theater at Brooklyn College, located at 2900 Campus Rd. (near the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Avenue H) in Midwood. For more information, visit www.mta.info. IIff YYoouu SSeeee BBrreeaakkiinngg NNeewwss OOnn YYoouurr BBlloocckk...... CCoonnttaacctt TThhee Times Newsweekly CCaallll 11--771188--882211--77550000 •• EEmmaaiill iinnffoo@@ttiimmeessnneewwsswweeeekkllyy..ccoomm 27 • TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2014
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