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Astoria's Steinway Street to Get Pedestrian-Friendly Overhaul, Mayor Says

 Restaurants and shops on Astoria's Steinway Street.
Restaurants and shops on Astoria's Steinway Street.
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DNAinfo/Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska

ASTORIA — The city is planning to redesign Steinway Street, with the aim of making the popular shopping spot more pedestrian-friendly, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.

Officials are reviewing the street — one of Astoria's main commercial hubs that's lined with shops and restaurants — for potential safety upgrades, focusing on the blocks between 28th and 35th Avenues, according to a spokeswoman for the Department of Transportation. 

"I know people are concerned about Steinway Street and making it a better environment for pedestrians," de Blasio said during a town hall at P.S. 70 on Wednesday. "The Department of Transportation will be creating a new design to make the Steinway Street corridor more pedestrian-friendly and safe."

The mayor offered no specifics on the plan but noted that the city would eventually present a plan to the local community board.

In 2016, 38 people — including 11 pedestrians — were injured in traffic incidents along Steinway Street between between 28th and 35th Avenues, according to the city's Vision Zero map

The mayor's announcement follows a previous push by City Councilman Costa Constantinides, who called for changes to the street during his State of the District address earlier this year. 

RELATED: Steinway Street Needs Its Own 'Town Square'-Style Plaza, Councilman Says

Constantinides is advocating for the creation of a park or pedestrian plaza along the Steinway, as well as the addition of mid-block crosswalks so shoppers can cross the street without having to walk the long distance to the next avenue's corner.

"Shoppers should be able to more easily and safely cross the street to travel between businesses," the councilman said in a statement Thursday. "Residents and small business will benefit from a Steinway streetscape that is safer and more conducive to commerce."

The DOT will share an updated plan for the street in 2018, a spokeswoman said.