Malba Gardens Civic Dedicated to the Safety and Preservation of our Community.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Whitestone property brings overdevelopment fears
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/50/wtpropertyhitsmarket_wt_12_15_q.html
From Whitestone Times;
Whitestone residents are wary after a prime piece of real estate hit the market last week that offers developers a crack at the largest residentially zoned vacant property in Queens, but a lawmaker set up legal barricades to guard against overdevelopment years ago.
The 15-acre property, at 151-45 6th Road, is approved for 52 single-family homes, according to Stephen Preuss, of Massey Knakal Realty Services.
Pruess’ company is currently accepting offers on the site and has received dozens of bites from both local and national developers, he said, although he would not divulge how much the original mortgage was worth.
The area was formerly a trucking depot that was also used to store industrial materials, according to Preuss, and somewhere along the line the soil was contaminated and the area was declared a brownfield site.
Bayrock Group, a Manhattan-based developer, was the last owner of the site and performed remediation on the toxic soil.
Bayrock still has a rendering on its website from 2005 showing the 52 homes and public park it planned to build before a bank began foreclosure proceedings on the property several years ago, Preuss said.
Bayrock Group’s development plan for the property, which it estimated carried a pricetag of between $100 million to $200 million back in 2008, was approved by Community Board 7, Borough President Helen Marshall and ultimately the City Council Land Use Committee.
But Alfredo Centola, president of the Malba Gardens Civic Association, said now that the property was on the market, he was concerned about increased traffic in the neighborhood and the impact on local schools, which he said are overcrowded as it is.
“As we speak, there is a need for another school or an expansion,” he said. “What’s going to happen with all these new developments going on?”
Centola hopes that any developer that moves in builds responsibly.
Luckily for him, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) also had concerns about the impact of development on the community when plans were first proposed to build on the property several years ago.
Avella was a councilman in 2008 and sat on the Land Use Committee, where he oversaw the successful rezoning of the area for 52 homes when developers wanted to build more.
One plan pitched to him called for 400 units in multi-family dwellings.
Avella called the decision to go with single-family homes, which would complement the neighborhood’s existing character, a move that would set the precedent for the other projects down the line.
“We felt the end result was a landmark decision that would influence future developments,” he said.
Because of what Avella called a hard-fought battle to keep the housing stock less dense, he said any developer that purchases the property with ulterior plans should take heed.
“If they want to change that plan, they will get a huge fight from the community and from the [Department of City Planning],” he said
By: Joe Anuta
Now more than ever,with the probability of 52 new homes in our community. We need to re acquire the remaining CYO property and build the fields so despeately needed. For the current children of the community as well as those that will come with the ne homes. The community needs to be involved and all impact studies must be made accessible to the public. How are the traffic issues going to be remediated? Stay involved, this is our community.
From Whitestone Times;
Whitestone residents are wary after a prime piece of real estate hit the market last week that offers developers a crack at the largest residentially zoned vacant property in Queens, but a lawmaker set up legal barricades to guard against overdevelopment years ago.
The 15-acre property, at 151-45 6th Road, is approved for 52 single-family homes, according to Stephen Preuss, of Massey Knakal Realty Services.
Pruess’ company is currently accepting offers on the site and has received dozens of bites from both local and national developers, he said, although he would not divulge how much the original mortgage was worth.
The area was formerly a trucking depot that was also used to store industrial materials, according to Preuss, and somewhere along the line the soil was contaminated and the area was declared a brownfield site.
Bayrock Group, a Manhattan-based developer, was the last owner of the site and performed remediation on the toxic soil.
Bayrock still has a rendering on its website from 2005 showing the 52 homes and public park it planned to build before a bank began foreclosure proceedings on the property several years ago, Preuss said.
Bayrock Group’s development plan for the property, which it estimated carried a pricetag of between $100 million to $200 million back in 2008, was approved by Community Board 7, Borough President Helen Marshall and ultimately the City Council Land Use Committee.
But Alfredo Centola, president of the Malba Gardens Civic Association, said now that the property was on the market, he was concerned about increased traffic in the neighborhood and the impact on local schools, which he said are overcrowded as it is.
“As we speak, there is a need for another school or an expansion,” he said. “What’s going to happen with all these new developments going on?”
Centola hopes that any developer that moves in builds responsibly.
Luckily for him, state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) also had concerns about the impact of development on the community when plans were first proposed to build on the property several years ago.
Avella was a councilman in 2008 and sat on the Land Use Committee, where he oversaw the successful rezoning of the area for 52 homes when developers wanted to build more.
One plan pitched to him called for 400 units in multi-family dwellings.
Avella called the decision to go with single-family homes, which would complement the neighborhood’s existing character, a move that would set the precedent for the other projects down the line.
“We felt the end result was a landmark decision that would influence future developments,” he said.
Because of what Avella called a hard-fought battle to keep the housing stock less dense, he said any developer that purchases the property with ulterior plans should take heed.
“If they want to change that plan, they will get a huge fight from the community and from the [Department of City Planning],” he said
By: Joe Anuta
Now more than ever,with the probability of 52 new homes in our community. We need to re acquire the remaining CYO property and build the fields so despeately needed. For the current children of the community as well as those that will come with the ne homes. The community needs to be involved and all impact studies must be made accessible to the public. How are the traffic issues going to be remediated? Stay involved, this is our community.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Burglaries on the rise in Whitestone.
Dear Community Members,
The 109th Precinct has experienced an increase in burglaries. We urge you to read and share the information below with your civic members, community groups, neighbors family and friends.
1)Residential Burglaries
Whitestone and North Flushing Area
These burglaries are occurring during the day time between 11am and 3 pm by forced entry into rear windows and doors. Perpetrator is a male Hispanic, approximately 30 years old, medium build, 6 ft tall and possibly wearing gloves.
Recent Incidents
27Avenue/165 street
154 Street/ 25 Avenue
29 Avenue/ 168 Street
150 street/ Bayside Avenue
2)Commercial Burglaries
Offices/business - Flushing Area
Burglaries are occurring after close of business and over night.
Unknown Perpetrator
Method of Entry- Force/ entry door
Recent Incidents
33 Avenue/ 146 street
147 Street/ Sanford Avenue
3) Contruction sites/Factory/Warehouse Burglaries
Flushing/College Point Area
These burglaries are occurring in the evening and overnight.
Perpetrators- 3 male blacks/ 30-35 years old/ driving a black van in search of copper and metals.
Recent Incidents
120 street/ 31 avenue
28 avenue/ 120 street
How you can help and what you can do to protect your home and property
1) Call 911 for suspicious persons
2) Construction sites must secure their materials and tools in an enclosed area
3) If possible, a security guard should be used for large construction sites
4) Alarms and security cameras should be utilized for all residential homes and commercial places of business
5) Use extra locks and interlocking latch guards on all entry doors to prevent the door from being pried open.
6) Commercial properties should have plenty of lighting around the property.
The 109th Precinct has experienced an increase in burglaries. We urge you to read and share the information below with your civic members, community groups, neighbors family and friends.
1)Residential Burglaries
Whitestone and North Flushing Area
These burglaries are occurring during the day time between 11am and 3 pm by forced entry into rear windows and doors. Perpetrator is a male Hispanic, approximately 30 years old, medium build, 6 ft tall and possibly wearing gloves.
Recent Incidents
27Avenue/165 street
154 Street/ 25 Avenue
29 Avenue/ 168 Street
150 street/ Bayside Avenue
2)Commercial Burglaries
Offices/business - Flushing Area
Burglaries are occurring after close of business and over night.
Unknown Perpetrator
Method of Entry- Force/ entry door
Recent Incidents
33 Avenue/ 146 street
147 Street/ Sanford Avenue
3) Contruction sites/Factory/Warehouse Burglaries
Flushing/College Point Area
These burglaries are occurring in the evening and overnight.
Perpetrators- 3 male blacks/ 30-35 years old/ driving a black van in search of copper and metals.
Recent Incidents
120 street/ 31 avenue
28 avenue/ 120 street
How you can help and what you can do to protect your home and property
1) Call 911 for suspicious persons
2) Construction sites must secure their materials and tools in an enclosed area
3) If possible, a security guard should be used for large construction sites
4) Alarms and security cameras should be utilized for all residential homes and commercial places of business
5) Use extra locks and interlocking latch guards on all entry doors to prevent the door from being pried open.
6) Commercial properties should have plenty of lighting around the property.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Whitestone stop sign fight about the kids
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/46/whitestonestopsign_wt_2011_11_17_q.html
Alfredo Molinari (far r.) stands with parents and just a portion of the kids who play on the block in front of the intersection he says cars speed through. By Joe Anuta
Alfredo Molinari is second-generation — as in the second generation of residents to fight for a stop sign on a Whitestone block teeming with children.
Molinari has taken up the helm of a two-decade battle to get a stop sign on the corner of 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, which he said will go a long way to protect the roughly 30 children that play there after school and on weekends.
“I want a stop sign only for the fact kids are playing outside and I want them to be safe,” said the father of three.
But the city Department of Transportation told residents that the intersection does not have enough traffic, nor accidents, to warrant a stop sign.
Molinari has lived his entire life on the block and said that cars shoot from Francis Lewis Boulevard down 23rd Avenue to get to the heart of Whitestone and vice versa. After getting off the boulevard and encountering two stop signs, Molinari said the two-block length before the next one becomes a dangerous mix of drag strip and playground.
“They speed down the block,” he said, adding that he sometimes has to take matters into his own hands. “I threw a ball at some guy’s car.”
The avenue runs across the entire neighborhood, and out of 12 standard intersections — where a two-way street intersects another two-way street at a 90-degree angle — it is the only one without a stop sign or stoplight.
The intersections on either side are a cookie-cutter match to 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, but even the older residents who had petitioned the DOT 20 years ago for one of the red octagons were unsuccessful..
But Molinari said children should be taken into account instead of just accidents.
“The most important of all is the population of children under the age of 15 or 13 that reside on both blocks,” he said.
On Monday evening, Molinari summoned the children out to the corner in question to demonstrate how many of them play in the area.
More than 20 youngsters emerged from houses along the street, carrying balls and gliding along the sidewalk on bikes and scooters.
There were accompanied by many parents who shared Molinari’s concerns.
Molinari has circulated a petition to the households surrounding the intersection and collected a lengthy docket of signatures.
Although this is the third time he has tried, he will submit the petition to Community Board 7 and ask, once again, for the city to put up the sign.
“We’re not going to rest and give up until something happens,” he said.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail januta@cnglocal.com or by phone 718-260-4566.
We at the Malba Gardens Civic extend our support and offer our help in this endeavor. Mr. Molinari is correct, the CHILDREN, must be taken into consideration. DOT needs to step up and protect our children.
Alfredo Molinari (far r.) stands with parents and just a portion of the kids who play on the block in front of the intersection he says cars speed through. By Joe Anuta
Alfredo Molinari is second-generation — as in the second generation of residents to fight for a stop sign on a Whitestone block teeming with children.
Molinari has taken up the helm of a two-decade battle to get a stop sign on the corner of 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, which he said will go a long way to protect the roughly 30 children that play there after school and on weekends.
“I want a stop sign only for the fact kids are playing outside and I want them to be safe,” said the father of three.
But the city Department of Transportation told residents that the intersection does not have enough traffic, nor accidents, to warrant a stop sign.
Molinari has lived his entire life on the block and said that cars shoot from Francis Lewis Boulevard down 23rd Avenue to get to the heart of Whitestone and vice versa. After getting off the boulevard and encountering two stop signs, Molinari said the two-block length before the next one becomes a dangerous mix of drag strip and playground.
“They speed down the block,” he said, adding that he sometimes has to take matters into his own hands. “I threw a ball at some guy’s car.”
The avenue runs across the entire neighborhood, and out of 12 standard intersections — where a two-way street intersects another two-way street at a 90-degree angle — it is the only one without a stop sign or stoplight.
The intersections on either side are a cookie-cutter match to 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, but even the older residents who had petitioned the DOT 20 years ago for one of the red octagons were unsuccessful..
But Molinari said children should be taken into account instead of just accidents.
“The most important of all is the population of children under the age of 15 or 13 that reside on both blocks,” he said.
On Monday evening, Molinari summoned the children out to the corner in question to demonstrate how many of them play in the area.
More than 20 youngsters emerged from houses along the street, carrying balls and gliding along the sidewalk on bikes and scooters.
There were accompanied by many parents who shared Molinari’s concerns.
Molinari has circulated a petition to the households surrounding the intersection and collected a lengthy docket of signatures.
Although this is the third time he has tried, he will submit the petition to Community Board 7 and ask, once again, for the city to put up the sign.
“We’re not going to rest and give up until something happens,” he said.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail januta@cnglocal.com or by phone 718-260-4566.
We at the Malba Gardens Civic extend our support and offer our help in this endeavor. Mr. Molinari is correct, the CHILDREN, must be taken into consideration. DOT needs to step up and protect our children.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
PS 209 to get One Way
Hopefully this will make it safer for the children.
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/46/cb7novmeet_wt_2011_11_17_q.html
One-way street OK’d by CB 7 near PS 20
Community Board 7 voted Monday night in favor of a one-way street conversion in Whitestone that would alleviate traffic congestion around an elementary school but also curb in appropriate behavior on the part of parents.
The proposal, which would be implemented by the city Department of Transportation, would convert 16th Road between Utopia Parkway and Willets Point Boulevard into a one-way, westbound road.
The idea is that by eliminating east-bound traffic, cars will more easily flow past PS 209, at 16-10 Utopia Parkway, which is on the eastern half of the road.
Residents like Wanda Young, who lives on the street, are in support of the plan. In fact, seven out of nine households on the block gave their support to the conversion, with the remaining two households not responding to a survey.
Each morning chaos ensues on the street outside PS 209, she said, speaking before the board.
School buses, parents and commuters converge on the street, she said, providing all the ingredients for a traffic nightmare.
“When there are no more legal parking spots, then parents will start to double park, block the driveways of the houses and even park in front of hydrants,” she said, urging the board to pass the measure.
Frustrated motorists, faced with the impasse of parents and buses, even pull U-turns by hopping the curb and driving on the sidewalk, she said. Young captured the mayhem in a video she posted on the Internet to prove her point.
The situation can be a dangerous one for children trying to cross the street, but it can also be a perilous one for educators and parents, according to Jacqueline Diaz-Fernandez, who works at the school.
“Our principal has been spit on, our assistant principal has been cursed at and parents have gotten into fights,” she said of the temporary turf war that breaks out as parents vie for parking spaces, park each other in and try and maneuver their cars and kids around the road.
The board overwhelmingly voted in favor of the proposal, which does not currently have a timeline for implementation, but some board members groused that making a street one way does nothing to change the bad behavior of parents.
Warren Schreiber voted in favor of the proposal because it only affected one block and the majority of the houses asked for it, but said he did not believe the conversion would completely alleviate the frustrating and possibly dangerous situation outside the school.
Another member foresaw double-, tripe- and even quadruple-parking by parents, who if given more space to flaunt traffic laws will expand into the unused portions of the road.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566
Now if only, they can help us on 5th avenue.
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/46/cb7novmeet_wt_2011_11_17_q.html
One-way street OK’d by CB 7 near PS 20
Community Board 7 voted Monday night in favor of a one-way street conversion in Whitestone that would alleviate traffic congestion around an elementary school but also curb in appropriate behavior on the part of parents.
The proposal, which would be implemented by the city Department of Transportation, would convert 16th Road between Utopia Parkway and Willets Point Boulevard into a one-way, westbound road.
The idea is that by eliminating east-bound traffic, cars will more easily flow past PS 209, at 16-10 Utopia Parkway, which is on the eastern half of the road.
Residents like Wanda Young, who lives on the street, are in support of the plan. In fact, seven out of nine households on the block gave their support to the conversion, with the remaining two households not responding to a survey.
Each morning chaos ensues on the street outside PS 209, she said, speaking before the board.
School buses, parents and commuters converge on the street, she said, providing all the ingredients for a traffic nightmare.
“When there are no more legal parking spots, then parents will start to double park, block the driveways of the houses and even park in front of hydrants,” she said, urging the board to pass the measure.
Frustrated motorists, faced with the impasse of parents and buses, even pull U-turns by hopping the curb and driving on the sidewalk, she said. Young captured the mayhem in a video she posted on the Internet to prove her point.
The situation can be a dangerous one for children trying to cross the street, but it can also be a perilous one for educators and parents, according to Jacqueline Diaz-Fernandez, who works at the school.
“Our principal has been spit on, our assistant principal has been cursed at and parents have gotten into fights,” she said of the temporary turf war that breaks out as parents vie for parking spaces, park each other in and try and maneuver their cars and kids around the road.
The board overwhelmingly voted in favor of the proposal, which does not currently have a timeline for implementation, but some board members groused that making a street one way does nothing to change the bad behavior of parents.
Warren Schreiber voted in favor of the proposal because it only affected one block and the majority of the houses asked for it, but said he did not believe the conversion would completely alleviate the frustrating and possibly dangerous situation outside the school.
Another member foresaw double-, tripe- and even quadruple-parking by parents, who if given more space to flaunt traffic laws will expand into the unused portions of the road.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566
Now if only, they can help us on 5th avenue.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Francis Lewis Park to get some sort of traffic help
The following is a letter we recieved from the Queens Department of Transportation Commissioner. While we are appreciative of the actions they plan on taking, we feel more needs to be done. For example Speed Humps in front of the park would be helpful, especially since they were promised years ago. Also, what about the intersection of the Whitestone Expressway Service road and 3rd avenue. We would like to see Crosswalks painted white, with signage "Yeild to Pedestrians" on both intersections and the center entrance of the park.
Again, we would like to thank the DOT Commissioner and hope she consider our suggestions for a safer passage to OUR park, for OUR children, and OUR families.
Bellow is the letter recieved. Baby steps are a great start.
Alfredo Centola
Just recieved this letter. Baby steps are a good start.
malbagardenscivic@hotmail.com
Dear Mr. Centola:
This is in response to your July 8th e-mail regarding the traffic controls at the intersection of 147th Street and 3rd Avenue.
We completed our analysis last month. Factors such as vehicular and pedestrian volumes, vehicular speeds, visibility and signal spacing were all taken into consideration in making our determination. Based upon our evaluation of the data collected, it is our judgment that Multi-Way Stop controls are not recommended at this time.
However, we have issued orders to install Pedestrian Crossing signs on 3rd Avenue to enhance motorist’s awareness of pedestrians at the intersection.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Sincerely,
Maura McCarthy
Queens Borough Commissioner
MM:mj:ch
November 16, 2011
Mr.
Again, we would like to thank the DOT Commissioner and hope she consider our suggestions for a safer passage to OUR park, for OUR children, and OUR families.
Bellow is the letter recieved. Baby steps are a great start.
Alfredo Centola
Just recieved this letter. Baby steps are a good start.
malbagardenscivic@hotmail.com
Dear Mr. Centola:
This is in response to your July 8th e-mail regarding the traffic controls at the intersection of 147th Street and 3rd Avenue.
We completed our analysis last month. Factors such as vehicular and pedestrian volumes, vehicular speeds, visibility and signal spacing were all taken into consideration in making our determination. Based upon our evaluation of the data collected, it is our judgment that Multi-Way Stop controls are not recommended at this time.
However, we have issued orders to install Pedestrian Crossing signs on 3rd Avenue to enhance motorist’s awareness of pedestrians at the intersection.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Sincerely,
Maura McCarthy
Queens Borough Commissioner
MM:mj:ch
November 16, 2011
Mr.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Sound Barriers on Whitestone Bridge approach.
Now that the construction on the Whitestone Bridge has begun and all the trees have been removed, we ask you our neighbors how is the sound level affecting your Quality of Life?
We have been promised new trees once construction is completed in two or more years. Problem is, they are going to add a "Breakdown" lane 18 feet. This will bring traffic 18 feet closer to the homes and our community. So the young trees they plant will do nothing to reduce the noise that will be 18 feet closer to our homes.
We at Malba Gardens have been advocating for Sound Barrier Walls as well as landscaping in front of the wall once the project is complete.
Please share with us you thoughts , suggestions, and ideas.
We have been promised new trees once construction is completed in two or more years. Problem is, they are going to add a "Breakdown" lane 18 feet. This will bring traffic 18 feet closer to the homes and our community. So the young trees they plant will do nothing to reduce the noise that will be 18 feet closer to our homes.
We at Malba Gardens have been advocating for Sound Barrier Walls as well as landscaping in front of the wall once the project is complete.
Please share with us you thoughts , suggestions, and ideas.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thank a Veteran
We are free to blog
Free to express our opinion
Free to agree and disagree
Free to decide the Military is not for Me
Free to be who and what you want to be
All this Free, comes with a price
Thank you Veterans, for our FREE.
God Bless America, and God Bless all Veterans.
Free to express our opinion
Free to agree and disagree
Free to decide the Military is not for Me
Free to be who and what you want to be
All this Free, comes with a price
Thank you Veterans, for our FREE.
God Bless America, and God Bless all Veterans.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Permanent Lane Closure Lifted At Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
Permanent Lane Closure Lifted At Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
Three Lanes Open In Each Direction During Peak Drive Times
Beginning Mon., Oct. 24th
As the fall and winter holiday season gets underway there is good news for motorists who use the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Work requiring a round-the-clock lane closure of one of the bridge’s six lanes has been completed and three lanes in each direction will once again be available during peak drive times.
The permanent lane closure, in effect since June 2010, will be lifted over the weekend and three lanes will be available in each direction starting with the Monday morning commute on Oct. 24th. Three lanes will be maintained using newly constructed safety shoulders.
Please note: The transition required to re-open the bridge roadway to full capacity will necessitate one final period of closures in both directions, as follows:
Fri. (10/21), 6 PM-9 PM: southbound & northbound: one lane closed; two lanes open;
Fri. (10/21), 9 PM-6 AM (Sat 10/22): southbound & northbound: two lanes closed; one lane open;
Sat. (10/22)-Mon. (10/24), 6 AM-3 AM: northbound: one lane closed; two lanes open; southbound: three lanes open.
“As we move closer to completing this project, which will result in wider approach roadway lanes, safety shoulders and a completely rehabilitated approach roadway deck, we appreciate the patience shown by motorists,” said Bronx-Whitestone Facility Engineer Christopher Saladino. “The project is essential in allowing us to keep the 72-year-old bridge a vital regional transportation link for many years to come.”
While lane by lane demolition and rehabilitation work was done, a reversible, movable barrier was used to maintain three traffic lanes to the Bronx during peak morning hours and three lanes to Queens in the evening and on weekends.
The nearly $200 million project, awarded to Conti Inc., began in December 2008. The work has included construction of new foundations and 15 new double-arch concrete piers beneath the bridge to support the rehabilitated, wider 12-foot lanes and the new safety shoulders.
Work on the center lane of the bridge will continue through early 2012, and the entire project is expected to be finished later that year once the old piers are removed and landscaping and drainage upgrades are completed.
A similar $109 million project to rehabilitate and widen the Bronx-Whitestone Queens approach was recently awarded jointly to E.E. Cruz, of Manhattan, and Tully Construction Co., of Queens. The work includes reconstruction and widening of the 1,010-foot-long Queens approach roadway structure, adding emergency breakdown lanes, and moving and rebuilding a local playground beneath the bridge.
“We will continue our practice of reaching out to local elected officials and community groups to help keep them informed as the Queens approach roadway project progresses and work is completed on the Bronx project as well,” said Bronx-Whitestone General Manager Ray Webb.
Similar to the Bronx approach work, the project will require a permanent lane closure, which is expected to begin in mid-2012. The reversible, movable barrier will be used again to maintain three lanes of traffic in peak directions. The northbound Third Avenue exit ramp will also be closed for approximately two years while the roadway is rebuilt.
In 2010, some 41 million vehicles used the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, which connects the Bronx to Queens and Long Island. The bridge opened to traffic the day before the New York World’s Fair in Flushing, Queens on April 30, 1939.
Three Lanes Open In Each Direction During Peak Drive Times
Beginning Mon., Oct. 24th
As the fall and winter holiday season gets underway there is good news for motorists who use the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge. Work requiring a round-the-clock lane closure of one of the bridge’s six lanes has been completed and three lanes in each direction will once again be available during peak drive times.
The permanent lane closure, in effect since June 2010, will be lifted over the weekend and three lanes will be available in each direction starting with the Monday morning commute on Oct. 24th. Three lanes will be maintained using newly constructed safety shoulders.
Please note: The transition required to re-open the bridge roadway to full capacity will necessitate one final period of closures in both directions, as follows:
Fri. (10/21), 6 PM-9 PM: southbound & northbound: one lane closed; two lanes open;
Fri. (10/21), 9 PM-6 AM (Sat 10/22): southbound & northbound: two lanes closed; one lane open;
Sat. (10/22)-Mon. (10/24), 6 AM-3 AM: northbound: one lane closed; two lanes open; southbound: three lanes open.
“As we move closer to completing this project, which will result in wider approach roadway lanes, safety shoulders and a completely rehabilitated approach roadway deck, we appreciate the patience shown by motorists,” said Bronx-Whitestone Facility Engineer Christopher Saladino. “The project is essential in allowing us to keep the 72-year-old bridge a vital regional transportation link for many years to come.”
While lane by lane demolition and rehabilitation work was done, a reversible, movable barrier was used to maintain three traffic lanes to the Bronx during peak morning hours and three lanes to Queens in the evening and on weekends.
The nearly $200 million project, awarded to Conti Inc., began in December 2008. The work has included construction of new foundations and 15 new double-arch concrete piers beneath the bridge to support the rehabilitated, wider 12-foot lanes and the new safety shoulders.
Work on the center lane of the bridge will continue through early 2012, and the entire project is expected to be finished later that year once the old piers are removed and landscaping and drainage upgrades are completed.
A similar $109 million project to rehabilitate and widen the Bronx-Whitestone Queens approach was recently awarded jointly to E.E. Cruz, of Manhattan, and Tully Construction Co., of Queens. The work includes reconstruction and widening of the 1,010-foot-long Queens approach roadway structure, adding emergency breakdown lanes, and moving and rebuilding a local playground beneath the bridge.
“We will continue our practice of reaching out to local elected officials and community groups to help keep them informed as the Queens approach roadway project progresses and work is completed on the Bronx project as well,” said Bronx-Whitestone General Manager Ray Webb.
Similar to the Bronx approach work, the project will require a permanent lane closure, which is expected to begin in mid-2012. The reversible, movable barrier will be used again to maintain three lanes of traffic in peak directions. The northbound Third Avenue exit ramp will also be closed for approximately two years while the roadway is rebuilt.
In 2010, some 41 million vehicles used the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge, which connects the Bronx to Queens and Long Island. The bridge opened to traffic the day before the New York World’s Fair in Flushing, Queens on April 30, 1939.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Attempted burglaries
Neighbors stay alert. It has been reported that there was a burglary attempt this afternoon October 18th, on 6th avenue. Three men wearing hooded sweatshirts were seen near a home acting suspiciously. When they were approached they ran away toward Francis Lewis Park.
Friday, October 14, 2011
More neglect from DOT
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/41/wtintersectioncrashes_wt_2011_10_13_q.html
By Connor Adams Sheets
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/41/wtintersectioncrashes_wt_2011_10_13_q.html
Residents of one Whitestone neighborhood say they are fed up with recurring car crashes at what they describe as a dangerous intersection, and the city announced Tuesday that it will undertake a new study to evaluate whether to take steps to address their concerns.
The intersection of 149th Street and 10th Avenue has been the site of at least 30 car accidents in the past decade, neighbors say, and the damage is not limited to the vehicles involved in the incidents.
Barbara and Victor Castellano live with their family in a home on the corner in question, where two of their brood’s cars were crushed while parked by vehicles speeding through the residential area in separate incidents three years ago.
“People think it’s a four-way stop-sign, and they don’t realize it’s not and they just blow right by,” Victor Castellano said Oct. 6, the day after the most recent crash sent a driver to the hospital. “People don’t even slow down, they just fly past here.”
The Castellanos and other nearby families, including that of neighbor Janet Smith, have taken a number of avenues to get signs installed on 149th, from calling and writing the city Department of Transportation and elected officials to threatening more drastic measures.
“I’m ready to paint a yellow line and paint ‘stop’ out there and get arrested for it because I’m fed up,” Barbara Castellano said.
In September 2009, the DOT denied a request for two new stop signs at the intersection, but a spokesman said Tuesday that the DOT will initiate a new 12-week study of the location. The spokesman said there were only two injuries and no deaths to motor vehicle occupants recorded there between 2006 and 2010, and no pedestrian injuries or deaths.
Neighbor Monica Rubin’s said her fence was destroyed when an errant vehicle drove through it, and a motorcyclist was killed near the corner several years ago after colliding with a vehicle at the intersection.
"We have kids walking home from school,” Rubin said last week, a day after the Honda van and Infiniti sedan crashed. “Yesterday my son was riding his bike right near here, and the car was up in their yard. Imagine if he had been there. It’s insane.”
Photo courtesy the Castellano family
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By Connor Adams Sheets
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/41/wtintersectioncrashes_wt_2011_10_13_q.html
Residents of one Whitestone neighborhood say they are fed up with recurring car crashes at what they describe as a dangerous intersection, and the city announced Tuesday that it will undertake a new study to evaluate whether to take steps to address their concerns.
The intersection of 149th Street and 10th Avenue has been the site of at least 30 car accidents in the past decade, neighbors say, and the damage is not limited to the vehicles involved in the incidents.
Barbara and Victor Castellano live with their family in a home on the corner in question, where two of their brood’s cars were crushed while parked by vehicles speeding through the residential area in separate incidents three years ago.
“People think it’s a four-way stop-sign, and they don’t realize it’s not and they just blow right by,” Victor Castellano said Oct. 6, the day after the most recent crash sent a driver to the hospital. “People don’t even slow down, they just fly past here.”
The Castellanos and other nearby families, including that of neighbor Janet Smith, have taken a number of avenues to get signs installed on 149th, from calling and writing the city Department of Transportation and elected officials to threatening more drastic measures.
“I’m ready to paint a yellow line and paint ‘stop’ out there and get arrested for it because I’m fed up,” Barbara Castellano said.
In September 2009, the DOT denied a request for two new stop signs at the intersection, but a spokesman said Tuesday that the DOT will initiate a new 12-week study of the location. The spokesman said there were only two injuries and no deaths to motor vehicle occupants recorded there between 2006 and 2010, and no pedestrian injuries or deaths.
Neighbor Monica Rubin’s said her fence was destroyed when an errant vehicle drove through it, and a motorcyclist was killed near the corner several years ago after colliding with a vehicle at the intersection.
"We have kids walking home from school,” Rubin said last week, a day after the Honda van and Infiniti sedan crashed. “Yesterday my son was riding his bike right near here, and the car was up in their yard. Imagine if he had been there. It’s insane.”
Photo courtesy the Castellano family
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Whitestone Bridge Lane Closures
Evening lane closures tomorrow (Tues 10/4) at the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge to allow for a concrete pour. On Tuesday starting at 6pm, we will have 2 lanes open to the Bronx and 2 lanes (rather than 3) open to Queens. There may be delays in the Queens-bound direction during this time because that is the more heavily traveled direction for evening rush hour at the BWB. (You may recall that during our current Bronx approach project, we have a permanent lane closure in place for the ongoing construction so we normally only have 5 of the 6 lanes available for traffic, but 3 lanes are always open in the peak direction.) We apologize for any inconvenience! The work is weather-permitting.
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