Queens Boulevard To Get Countdown Clocks

At long last, Queens Boulevard, one of the most dangerous pedestrian crossings in the city, will have countdown clocks at crosswalks. Queens Boulevard has gotten a reputation as “the boulevard of death” because of the sheer number of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities that have occurred in traffic there. Between 1993 and 2000, for instance, more than 70 people were killed in accidents.

Now, hopefully, those grim numbers will be a thing of the past.

The clocks will be installed at several intersections on Queens Boulevard, including Yellowstone Boulevard and 63rd Road.

The news, announced by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi on Wednesday, represents the culmination of a long wait on the part of residents.

A set of clocks was installed at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and Continental Avenue last summer as part of a pilot program in parts of New York City. Now, as an acknowledgement that the clocks represent a big boost in safety at dangerous crossings, the Department of Transportation will install them at six more intersections in heavily-trafficked — and heavily-walked — parts of Forest Hills this coming summer.

“I am absolutely thrilled that the Department of Transportation has finally taken action on this longstanding concern of my constituents,” Hevesi said. “The installation of these countdown clocks is a major safety feat not only for my neighbors, but also the thousands of people that travel Queens Boulevard daily.”

Hevesi sent a letter to the Department of Transportation commissioner late last year, urging her to install the clocks as soon as possible.

In his letter, Hevesi pointed out the exact six intersections that will now boast clocks:

• Yellowstone Boulevard
• 63rd Road
• 66th Avenue
• 67th Avenue
• 70th Avenue
• 78th Avenue

There is no specific date this summer for when the installation will be complete as of yet.