The intersection of 64th Street and Grand Avenue is becoming more dangerous because of tractor trailers jumping the curb. This is at the site of the DOT triangle reconfiguration project detailed in the latest issue of the Juniper Berry which was intended to make the intersection safer for schoolchildren. Below are photos taken over the last few weeks that illustrate that it has had the opposite effect.
Nov 12: Notice the dent on the lamppost caused by a truck making a too-tight turn.
Nov 24: A truck toppled the lamppost and DOT placed a plastic bollard over it. This was not a wise move because drivers thought the bollard was hollow, and did not realize there was a stationary metal object beneath it.
Nov 24: A DOT supervisor stopped by but apparently didn't see anything wrong.
Dec 1: The lane was made narrower due to the presence of construction vehicles and…
…tractor trailers continued to run over the stump of the lamppost.
Dec 2: Another truck ran over the stump, which apparently still had live exposed wires. This caused all the signals at the intersection to go out which caused a major traffic problem. Police were dispatched to direct traffic while DOT workers fixed the lights and erected this temporary pedestrian signal. How long before another truck knocks this over?
Dec 4: Temporary pedestrian signal destroyed by truck again.
DOT needs to divert trucks off Grand Avenue immediately before someone gets hurt or killed at that corner. DOT and CB5 were sent photos after each stage of the destruction of the lamppost but no corrective action has been taken.
From: “Customer_Service-TH”
Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 12:08pm
To: cwilkinson@junipercivic.com
Subject: Traffic Signal
Hello Christina:
Thank you for your email complaint of a newly installed traffic signal which was destroyed by a truck. We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you on this issue.
Queens Borough Commissioner Maura McCarthy will work with the Engineering Division to ensure that this matter is addressed properly.
Borough Commissioner McCarthy will inform you of our findings and recommendations by March 2009.
Ensuring the safety of our residents is of primary concern to the NYCDOT.
Your participation in transportation issues which affect your community is greatly appreciated.
NYC Department of Transportation
Customer Service Division
CCU Log # 08-8012
