Construction Embargo For Shopping Areas In Forest Hills

If you've noticed a recent lack of construction on Forest Hills' main shopping thoroughfares, there's a good reason for it. The New York City Department of Transportation has issued a holiday embargo of all street and sidewalk construction in heavily-trafficked shopping areas throughout the city.

In the interest of keeping residents in the stores and not affecting the local economy adversely, the city has instituted a six-week embargo on construction across some of New York's busiest shopping neighborhoods.

The embargo, which began on Nov. 22, will last through Jan. 2 of next year. It will prevent city workers from blocking major thoroughfares with vehicles, crews or equippment unless the work is deemed to be an emergency repair, or if the construction project acquired a waiver from the city to complete necessary work during the period.

The embargo does not affect private construction on buildings or businesses, which can continue through the rest of the year.

In Forest Hills, the embargo will affect several areas. The largest and busiest is Austin Street stretching from Ascan Avenue to Yellowstone Boulevard. 71st Avenue from Queens Boulevard to Burns Street is also covered by the embargo.

Austin Street will also be decorated again this year, courtesy of the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce. The decorations should be up by early next week.

All of Queens Boulevard will be construction free on streets and sidewalks, as well.

Further to the south, the length of Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills is also covered by the embargo.

The area surrounding the Queens Center Mall in Rego Park will be construction-free, though it's bound to be clogged with traffic during the holiday season.

Just east, there will be no construction on Union Turnpike between Main Street in Flushing and Langdale Street closer to the Nassau County border.