Demand Safer Streets for Residents of Kew Gardens/Richmond Hill!

We, the residents of Kew Gardens and Richmond Hill, who live next to the intersection of Park Lane South and Metropolitan Avenue demand that enhanced action be taken by the Dept. of Transportation to help make this dangerous intersection safer for both pedestrians and motorists.

While there is already a dedicated left-turn light installed for traffic approaching Metropolitan Ave from the south side of Park Lane South, additional action needs to be taken to further ensure the safety of the residents in this neighborhood.

On a daily basis, pedestrians are faced with cars speeding well above the 25MPH limit along Metropolitan Ave, dangerous drivers who turn against the left-turn light on Park Lane South with no regard for pedestrians who have already entered the crosswalks, and cars and motorcycles who have taken to racing along Metropolitan Ave at night as though it was part of the Grand Prix course.

Considering the technology that is now available (red light cameras, speed cameras), as well as even simpler solutions (installing traffic separators, un-syncing the lights along these two roads) it's unconscionable for any elected official or member of the DOT to not realize that this intersection has serious problems with potentially deadly results that need to be addressed.

If Queens Boulevard can be considered the boulevard of death, then this intersection of Metropolitan and Park Lane South could be considered the Intersection of Doom.

**Please click the line below to read the FULL PETITION LETTER, which outlines some of the measures that the DOT should consider instituting to make this intersection safer**

I have already filled out a complaint form on the DOT page (case number DOT-306149-K4L1) of the nyc website and eagerly await a response, but in the meantime I thought it might be prudent to notify other neighbors of the issue to help raise awareness and enlist your support in resolving this issue.

As many of you know first-hand, Metropolitan Ave and Park Lane South is an extremely dangerous intersection. I know this is not groundbreaking news, and it's always been a dicey corner for pedestrians to maneuver, but it feels as though the amount of unsafe driving at this intersection is an ever increasing problem.

Even having the added benefit of a dedicated traffic turn arrow on the corner of Metro and Park Ln S does not guarantee anyone's safety since so many motorists habitually fail to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, and blow through the intersection when it's no longer their right to turn left onto Metro from Park Lane South.

On Monday, August 1, at roughly 6pm there were 2 accidents in a row at this intersection; both were car accidents and luckily no pedestrians were involved, but the traffic surrounding the scene was chaotic at best, with motorists entering the opposite lanes to try and snake around the accident. Meanwhile motorists coming from Park Ln S continued to blow through the turn arrow, creating gridlock and confusion and many near-accidents with cars AND pedestrians.

I live in Hampton Court, and three of our buildings are on the front line of all of this action, so I can say with certainty that such scenarios are a weekly, if not even daily occurrence.

I realize that speed bumps are not an option since these two main roads are both truck routes and MTA bus routes, but I'm hoping that something else can be done to improve the safety of this area.

Perhaps the installation of a red light camera on Metro between  Forest Park Drive and Park Lane South would deter motorists heading east from the Union Turnpike intersection at Metro from speeding through the intersection at Park Lane South.


Perhaps setting an earlier red light on Park Ln S, coupled with a delayed green light on Metropolitan Ave at Park Ln S would allow more time for pedestrians to safely cross the street with a prolonged Walk signal.


Maybe installing lane separators on Park Lane South, where cars wait for the left-turn arrow signal to change, would prevent unruly drivers from turning too sharply onto Metropolitan Ave while pedestrians are already in the crosswalk.
 
Since there are two bus routes that intersect at this location (the Q54 and Q37) I see numerous families with young children and many elderly neighbors who rely on public transportation try to navigate this deadline intersection multiple times on a daily basis. We have young children in my own family, and trust me it's a terrifying feeling to try and cross the streets at this intersection, especially during the AM and PM rush hours.

After seeing those 2 accidents in a row, I felt that this is an issue that needs immediate attention. Although a proper solution might take time to be decided and implemented, I couldn't in good conscience wait another day to bring up the importance of this matter.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this letter and look forward to seeing some solutions implemented for the safety of the residents near this intersection.

Sincerely,
Claire Mangan

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