Photo: The city Department of Transportation is reviewing the intersection of 153rd Avenue and 88th Street in Lindenwood. Courtesy of Google.
The city Department of Transportation this week confirmed that it is in the process of studying an intersection in Lindenwood that an area elected official has called “high risk.”
At the request of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s Office, the triangle intersection of 153rd Avenue and 88th Street is under review for possible measures the agency can take to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists, a DOT spokesman told The Forum on Tuesday.
“DOT is taking this very seriously,” said Katz aide Dan Brown.
This isn’t the first appeal to the department regarding the intersection. In March, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder sent a letter to the acting DOT Queens commissioner calling on the agency to install more crosswalks at the traffic triangle, characterizing it as “confusing” and difficult to cross for the community’s large senior population.
Additionally, Goldfeder asked DOT to conduct a comprehensive study of traffic patterns in Lindenwood and make pedestrian-safety improvements to “high-risk” intersections and the service ramps to the Belt Parkway off Cross Bay Boulevard.
“Lindenwood families should not have to fear for their lives when crossing the streets,” Goldfeder said. “The Department of Transportation needs to take an aggressive approach to this problem before someone gets hurt.”
Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic President Joann Ariola added, “Safety measures must be put in place. Not just a band-aid, but common sense safety measures.”
DOT did not indicate any timetable for the study to be completed.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
