Open Streets on 39th Avenue in Sunnyside (Photo: Asha MacKay)
June 24, 2020 By Allie Griffin
More Queens streets will be shuttered to traffic as the city introduces another wave of the Open Streets initiative first announced in April.
Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled an additional 23 miles today that will be open to pedestrians and cyclists through the course of the pandemic.
The shuttered streets allow New Yorkers to get fresh air, while having space to practice safe social distancing.
The new open streets cross several neighborhoods in Queens.
Three newly announced streets are near parks:
.28 miles of 35th Avenue from Corbett Road to dead end by Crocheron Park
.33 miles of Shore Boulevard from Ditmars Boulevard to 20th Avenue by Ralph DeMarco Park
.12 miles of Ditmars Boulevard from 19th Street to Shore Boulevard by Ralph DeMarco Park
Five will be enforced by local precincts:
.09 miles of 165th Street, from Chapin Parkway to 85th Avenue in Jamaica Hills
.2 miles of Onderdonk Avenue, from Starr Street to DeKalb Avenue in Ridgewood
.29 miles of 77th Street, from Atlantic Avenue to 101st Street in Ozone Park
.27 miles of Rockaway Freeway, from Ocean Crest Boulevard to Regina Avenue in Far Rockaway
.07 miles of 60th Street, from Queens Boulevard to 43rd Avenue in Woodside
Five streets will be opened in partnership with local community groups:
.24 miles of 37th Avenue, from 75th Street to 80th Street on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Thai Community USA)
.15 miles of Newtown Avenue, from 30th Avenue to 31st Street on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central Astoria LDC)
.15 miles of 32nd Street, from 30th Avenue to Newtown Avenue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central Astoria LDC)
.52 miles of Reads Lane, from Empire Avenue to Jarvis Avenue on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (JCCRP)
.25 miles of Beach 12th Street, from Central Avenue to Dinsmore Avenue on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (JCCRP)
No through traffic is permitted on the streets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, unless otherwise specified. Local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, necessary city service, utility, and emergency vehicles only are allowed.
Temporary Bicycle Lane
The city will also install a temporary protected 3.6-mile bike lane along Northern Boulevard, from 34th Avenue to Queensboro Plaza.
The lane will be phased in through the summer by using markings, barrels, signage, and other barriers, to implement both permanent and temporary connectors to existing bike lanes.
With the new open streets, New York City now has 67 miles of car-free roads for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy.
“As the school year ends and a hot, challenging summer begins, New Yorkers will need more options to play outside,” Mayor de Blasio said in a statement. “New York City now offers more car-free street space than any other city in the country, and we’re proud to build on that progress in all five boroughs.”
A full list of streets closed to traffic can be found on the Department of Transportation website.
A bicyclist taking advantage of “open streets” on Skillman Avenue between 39th Place and 43rd Street (Photo: Asha MacKay)
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14 Comments
We have 99th Street in Rego Park. The problem is that there’s no one to enforce it. People are afraid to walk because drivers remove the barriers and speed down the block. Great idea, bad management. Then we have 98th. Street where we have a school and playgrounds that have been violated and we have gatherings and no social distancing is observed. The street is one long single block and no one thought of opening it for pedestrians to avoid people getting into the playground to do exercises and walk.
Hate bike lanes
Do it where you live and see how much traffic and no place to park someone going to get hit by a car with these restaurant tables in the street trucks double parking yo make a delivery it’s a nightmare driving down ditmas Blvd
Even walking is nightmare. No space to pass by between the tables on the street, tables on the sidewalks, wobbling drunks all over. No masks needed. They jeopardize public health.
While I support the open street policy I don’t like the fact bikes can be used on it. Bicyclist act like they own the space and drive to close to people walking. They also don’t obey right of way rules. When the light is red cars stop, bikers keep going and curse at you for walking during the walk sign. They also seem to get mad at cars for obeying the law. Not only that but if you get hit by a car you can sue as their is usually a plate but you don’t have that option with bikers. Granted a biker won’t kill you most likely but being hit by some idiot going 20 mph still hurts. As an older person who has been hit by bikers and has seen little kids get pushed aside by them this makes me angry. Bikers also seem to get mad when they hit me. I’m a 67 year old woman. I can’t move quickly and I’m on a sidewalk. Why can’t they choose a lane like cars do?
Thats great. But why is it only in certain areas? Queens is huge but the focus is only in the areas for certain race? What about Springfield gardens? St. Albans? Jea
People are back to work with no summer camps for their kids and no one gives a crap about that. Tf do icare for people who feel the need to walk in the middle on the street when I’m trying to get home to my child. Remove this ridiculousness. Streets are for cars. Sidewalks are for people. FOH
The Mayor keeps taking away streets from us motorists that pay for them to bicyclists and those electric bikesthat don’t pay for anything and follow no rules what so very .I was almost runned over by one of them. Great job Mayor.
Drivers are ignoring the current closures along Skillman between 43rd and 40th. They get out, move the barricade, and ignore the reduced speed limit. I love this idea, but enforcement needs to be figured out.
Why not just Ban cars from city Streets? Delassio ? Every accident that happens should be your responsibility.
I wish this was done sooner. So many people were out celebrating AOC’s win the past two nights. It almost brought me to tears. So proud of our lady.
Why in earth would anyone celebrate that do nothing little snips “win”?
As to more “open streets”, there’s no one on 39th Ave and the fire trucks have a difficult time making a turn. Useless, idiotic idea. Open street needs to end NOW!!
It doesn’t matter. The people with cars just move over the barricades and drive through it. I wish the pole in NY were actually respectful
You sound like a Heather.