Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Redesign of Astoria Park's Shore Blvd. to Begin This Month

 The city is converting the Astoria Park street to a one-way road by turning one lane into a bike path.
The city is converting the Astoria Park street to a one-way road by turning one lane into a bike path.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Jeanmarie Evelly

DITMARS — Construction is set to start this month on Shore Boulevard, as the city plans to convert the waterfront street in Astoria Park into a one-way road.

The redesign, which is meant to make it safer for parkgoers, will start in mid-May, according to a flier from the Department of Transportation, and will include installing a buffered bike path in the northbound traffic lane, making the street southbound-only.

Crews will also be painting curb extensions at crosswalks along the street to shorten the distance pedestrians have to cross.

Community Board 1 approved the DOT's plan in February, after months of debate about how — or if — Shore Boulevard should be changed.

One lawmaker proposed closing the street to cars entirely because of complaints about speeding cars and drivers blasting loud music, though others strongly opposed the idea.

The DOT will also start construction this month on traffic changes along 20th Avenue between Shore Boulevard and 37th Street, according to the agency.

This will move the street's bike lanes onto the north side of the road, and install a pedestrian island at 31st Street to make it safer for those boarding at the bus stop there.

The projects are expected to finish this summer, the DOT previously said.