A dangerous intersection in front of P.S. 153 in Maspeth has parents worried their children stand in harm’s way, so they’re asking for a stop light, four-way stop sign or a speed bump.
There is one stop sign on the westbound side of 60th Road at the intersection of 60th Street, but drivers headed north and south on 60th Street are free to speed as they please.
The street, which runs between Flushing and Metropolitan avenues, is a popular one for people avoiding traffic-clogged Fresh Pond Road.
At a protest rally, students, their parents and elected officials demanded the city introduce traffic-calming measures to improve safety for the 1,400 students who attend the school.
“An intersection that doesn’t have a four-way stop sign of a traffic light is unacceptable,” said Susan Voogt, the school’s assistant principal. “Even if one child is using the street it should be safe.”
“We don’t need [to wait] for someone to get hurt to do something,” he added.
There have been at least six traffic accidents at the intersection in as many years, according to Mary Ray, the police crossing guard who has worked the intersection since 2004.
“In the last one both drivers had to be cut out of their cars,” Ray said. “It’s very dangerous.”
Charlene Stubbs, the vice president of the Maspeth West End Block Association, said anyone crossing the street there “is taking your life into your hands.”
Melinda Garcia, who lives nearby and sends her child to P.S. 153, and other parents said the intersection needs a stop light, four-way stop sign or a speed bump to slow cars down.
Students “are looking to cross safely,” Garcia said, but “nobody’s really doing anything about it.”
Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley sent two letters to the Department of Transportation this year (DOT) requesting an investigation to see if “traffic calming measures” are necessary.
A DOT spokesperson said the city is looking into the issue.
via Queens Ledger
