SHB_p004

SC09112014

4 The Courier sun • september 11, 2014 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Bus-only lanes coming to Woodhaven Boulevard BY SALVATORE LICATA congestion on the heavily traveled roadway. slicata@queenscourier.com/@sal_licata1 They will be one lane out from the curb, which will allow the buses a faster transition when dropping off and Bus-only lanes are to be painted along a 1.4-mile picking up riders, according to Joan Byron, director of stretch of Woodhaven Boulevard by late September, a policy at the Pratt Center for Community Development. representative from the Department of Transportation “These bus-only lanes are to strictly address the (DOT) said. issue of congestion along the boulevard,” Byron said. The lanes are being added on Woodhaven Boulevard “With the addition of the one out from the curb lanes, between Elliot and Metropolitan avenues to help ease the buses will not have to go in and out anymore, which will help to ease the congestion.” The lane nearest the curb will continue to be used for parking, officials said. The start date for painting depends on weather conditions and the schedule of other DOT projects, the agency’s representative said. The painting should take several weeks, weather permitting, the representative added. The lanes can be used at all times of the day by other vehicles making a right turn. THE COURIER/Photo by Salvatore Licata Bus-only lanes are to be painted on Woodhaven Boulevard in late September, DOT officials say. Build it Back numbers improve in Howard Beach BY SALVATORE LICATA which includes Lindenwood, Howard Beach, Old slicata@queenscourier.com/@sal_licata1 Howard and Hamilton Beach, are also on the rise. Out of the approximate 1,200 active Build it Back Even though residents of Howard Beach have been applicants in 11414, 95 have received checks and frustrated with the Build it Back process, numbers are 60 have started construction, according to a representative moving in the right direction for the neighborhood. from the mayor’s office. There are also 139 On Sept. 2, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that applicants who have finished construction plan consultations there have been 535 construction starts and that and 564 who have formally been made an 543 reimbursement checks have been distributed to assessment offer, the representative added. Hurricane Sandy victims in the city, thus exceeding These numbers were at zero in the beginning of his Labor Day goals of 500 constructions starts and the year. 500 checks handed out. Over the past few months, the mayor’s office has overhauled On a smaller level, numbers in area code 11414, the Build it Back process, allowing applications to move more fluidly through the program. This overhaul includes putting senior city staff members in charge of Build it Back centers and case management, and allowing homeowners to consult with designers and architects earlier in the process, making construction scheduling easier, the representative said. “It was simply unacceptable that not a single homeowner had gotten relief as of the beginning of this year,” de Blasio said. “We know there’s much more work ahead — and we’re committed to continuing to speed up recovery so that every homeowner gets the relief they need.” Sponsored by Providing comprehensive end-of-life care in the home, nursing home, and in-patient setting throughout the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Nassau County. For referrals or information call 718.472.1999 or visit www.hospiceny.com


SC09112014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above