Queens Community Board Four weights in on the second phase of a controversial redesign plan for Queens Boulevard. NY1's Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.
Strong opinions echoed as Community Board Four took a vote on the city transportation department's Queens Boulevard redesign proposal, the second phase in a $100 million overhaul for the dangerous corridor.
The proposed changes include traffic calming measures, as well as bike and pedestrian lanes from 74th Street to Elliot Avenue.
The community board conditionally voted yes to the safety measures, but no to the bike lanes.
"At this time we feel we want Queens Boulevard to be safer," said Louis Walker, the chair of Community Board Four. "But we're not sure if bike lanes have a place on Queens Boulevard."
According to the transportation department, the stretch from 74th Street to Elliot Avenue is the most dangerous along the so-called Boulevard of Death.
21 pedestrians and two cyclists were killed or severely injured between 2010 and 2014.
Lizzie Rahman's son Asif was killed while cycling near 55th Avenue on Queens Blvd, and said bike lanes are necessary.
"If we don't start putting bike lanes on Queens Boulevard on this busy, dangerous road more people will die," Rahman said.
The proposal came after the transportation department conducted outreach community workshops and met with business owners in the area.
City Councilor Daniel Dromm, who said he supports the bike lanes, said the conditional vote is a victory in the long run.
"Ultimately, I think what we got was 95 percent of what we were asking for, and I think we need to come back to work with the board on a greater understanding for what the bike lanes mean to the plan," Dromm said.
Transportation officials said before going forward with any major decisions the next step is to digest all of the feedback
"We got a lot of specific questions, a lot of feedback. We see what we can incorporate into the project and take it from there," said Ryan Russo, the Deputy Commissioner of Transportation Planning & Management for the DOT.
But even among all of the differing opinions, a safer Queens Boulevard seems to be a priority for all.