16 THE COURIER SUN • DECEMBER 29, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com Major phase of the Van Wyck Expressway reconstruction in Kew Gardens finally complete BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@qns.com @robbpoz Perhaps the Van Wyck Expressway at the Kew Gardens interchange won’t be a traffic nightmare for Queens residents much longer. Work has finally been wrapped on a $159 million reconstruction of the highway near the Grand Central Parkway that aims to improve traffic flow and ease congestion, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday. The Van Wyck and Grand Central, along with the Jackie Robinson Parkway and Union Turnpike, all intersect at the Kew Gardens interchange, a notorious reference point on daily radio and television traffic reports. Cuomo says the new and improved Van Wyck “will improve its safety and reliability, allowing commuters and commercial vehicles to get where they need to go quicker and without delay.” Crews widened both lanes of the Van Wyck between 82nd and Hillside avenues and rebuilt the exit ramp from the northbound Van Wyck to the westbound lanes of Queens Boulevard. Four bridges over the Van Wyck were also reconstructed, and an extra lane was added to the expressway between the Grand Central Parkway and Queens Boulevard. An exit-only lane was also created on the southbound Van Wyck leading to the Hillside/Jamaica Avenues exit. One of the most challenging features of the project was the construction of a new bridge carrying Queens Boulevard over the Van Wyck. Not only did workers have to go about the project while keeping Queens Boulevard open to traffic, they also had the difficulty of completing the work around the E/F subway lines, both of which run directly below the boulevard. This affected commuters heading to and from the Briarwood E/F stop for months on end. Those same commuters now benefit from reconstructed entrances to the station, including an elevator, a pedestrian tunnel, new public plazas and landscaping along Queens Boulevard. “A modern transportation infrastructure is a key component of Governor Cuomo’s initiative to create jobs and stimulate the state’s economy,” said State Transportation Commissioner The newly reconstructed Van Wyck Expressway in Kew Gardens, looking northbound near Hoover Avenue. Matthew J. Driscoll. “The improvements at the Kew Gardens Interchange have already begun to provide improved operations and a quicker, safer ride, enabling people and goods to get to where they need to be faster.” Local lawmakers including state Senator Joseph Addabbo, Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz and Council members Photo courtesy of the governor’s office Karen Koslowitz and Rory Lancman hailed the project’s completion. There’s still more work to be done along the Van Wyck; the state DOT plans on widening the highway between 72nd Avenue and Main Street, adding an extra lane in each direction. Work is also ongoing at various entry and exit points at the interchange itself. Celebrate With Us! Complete Checking Plus 1.00% 0.51% APY1 For the first 90 days On balances of $5,000 or more Join the Grand Opening celebration of our new Flushing Bank location at 61-14 Springfield Boulevard. As part of the celebration, you will earn a special interest rate of 1.00%1 for the first 90 days when you open a new Complete Checking Plus account at any of our branches.1 Plus when you open a new Flushing Bank Complete Checking Plus account you can get up to $200.2 Hurry, this is a limited time offer. Call or stop by a branch today! For more information visit your local Flushing Bank branch, go to www.FlushingBank.com, or call 800.581.2889. Small enough to know you. Large enough to help you. 1. New Complete Checking Plus account with new money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. This offer is limited to one Complete Checking Plus account per household. The APY is effective October 17, 2016. The APY for Complete Checking Plus is 0.15% for daily account balances between $0 to $4,999. The blended annual percentage yield (APY) for Complete Checking Plus is 0.51% for daily account balances between $5,000 to $49,999 and 0.59% for daily account balances of $50,000 or greater. The guaranteed rate of 1.00% will remain in effect for 90 days after account opening. At the end of this 90 day period the annual percentage yield will revert to 0.35% for daily account balances between $5,000 to $49,999 and 0.45% for daily account balances of $50,000 or greater. Rates may change at any time without notice. You must maintain a daily balance of $5,000 for the statement cycle to receive the disclosed yield. If your daily account balance is less than $5,000 the interest rate paid on the entire balance in your account will be 0.15% APY. You must deposit a minimum of $100 to open the Complete Checking Plus account. A minimum balance of $5,000 is required to avoid a monthly maintenance fee. Fees may reduce the earnings on the account. The rate and offer are subject to change and early termination without prior notice at any time. 2. New Complete Checking or Complete Checking Plus account with new money only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking customer is defined as anyone who currently has or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. This offer is limited to one Complete Checking or Complete Checking Plus account per household. Minimum deposit required to open a new Complete Checking account is $25 and a new Complete Checking Plus account is $100. No minimum balance required to be eligible for the Bonus. Direct Deposit – You will receive $100 for signing up for and receiving a recurring direct deposit of $250 or more. Tax refund checks do not qualify as direct deposit. Direct Deposits must be completed prior to 90 days after the account is opened. Debit Card Purchases – You will receive $50 for the completion of 5 debit card purchases. Each debit card purchase must be $25 or more. Online Banking Bill-payments – You will receive $50 for completing 5 online banking bill-payments via Flushing Bank’s Online Banking portal. Each online bill-pay must be $25 or more. Debit Card Purchases and Online Bill-payments must be completed prior to 60 days after the account is opened. THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT ANY CUSTOMER CAN RECEIVE IS $200. The compensation will be credited to the checking account on or about the end of the month following the completion of the above qualifying transactions within the required time after account opening. A 1099 will be is sued in the amount credited to your account. Other fees and restrictions may apply. All offers are subject to change and termination without prior notice at any time. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
SC12292016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above