DOT halts improvement of dangerous intersection

An inexplicable delay in implementing traffic control plans to rework the dangerous intersection of the Grand Central Parkway exit 45 ramp and Astoria Boulevard North has many Astoria natives and elected officials up in arms.

In November of 2013, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas met with the Department of Transportation (DOT) Queens Borough Commissioner Dalila Hall to discuss the dangerous intersection at 32nd Street, Astoria Boulevard North and Grand Central Parkway following a number of community complaints.

Two lanes of traffic exiting the Grand Central Parkway and four lanes of traffic from Astoria Boulevard North are currently controlled by the same traffic light. Often drivers are forced to cross three, four or five lanes of traffic in order to turn onto 31st Street.

According to the 114th Precinct, accidents and near-accidents are very common in the area.

“This intersection is dangerous and confusing,” Simotas said. “Motorists from the area dread crossing multiple lanes of traffic to get home and drivers new to the area have no idea how to get where they are going.”

After the 2013 meeting, DOT conducted a study of the area and in May 2014 submitted a proposal to Community Board 1 outlining their plans for improving the intersection, which was quickly approved.

However, the safety measures have yet to be implemented, and Simotas sent a follow-up letter to DOT last Thursday regarding their failure to follow through with their plans.

“There is no good reason why residents and motorists should still be endangered at this intersection after DOT and the community board have agreed on what needs to be done,” Simotas said.

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