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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 073-04
April 1, 2004

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES TRAFFIC INITIATIVE TO INCREASE SAFETY AND RELIEVE CONGESTION ON STATEN ISLAND

Department of Transportation Create New Traffic Patterns in Tottenville to Alleviate Congestion and Improve Safety for Schoolchildren

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced traffic changes that will speed the flow of traffic and increase the safety of pedestrians and school children in the Tottenville community.  The Mayor was joined by Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall, Community Assistance Unit (CAU) Commissioner Jonathan Greenspun, and Councilmember Andrew Lanza.

Each day, more than 2,000 students leave three schools' simultaneously, creating congestion and potentially dangerous conditions for school children. To increase safety and ease the flow of traffic, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is creating one-way streets, changing parking regulations and adding signs.  The changes are a result of collaboration between the CAU, DOT Councilmember Andrew Lanza, local civic and community groups and Elementary School 1, Intermediate School 34 and Our Lady Help of Christians School.

"Today's announcement demonstrates that when the City, the community and our elected officials work together we get things done," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "Tottenville's traffic will move smoother and thousands of children from three schools will be safer." 

"I appreciate the quick response of the New York City Department of Transportation to help the traffic flow and improve safety conditions around the schools in this Tottenville neighborhood," said Borough President James P. Molinaro.  "I would like to thank Mayor Bloomberg for recognizing the concerns of the people on the South Shore, the fastest-growing area of the fastest growing Borough of New York City."

'This new traffic initiative has been recommended by many members of the Tottenville community - including leaders of the three schools, Community Board 3 and the 123rd Police Precinct," said Commissioner Weinshall. "We believe it will bring more order to the morning and discharge hours, and we're delighted to work with the Tottenville community on making this area safer for the students of P.S. 1, I.S. 34 and Our Lady Help of Christians School."

"We are happy that we were able to get all sides together and come up with a solution, " said Commissioner Greenspun. "We are going to continue to work with DOT, the three schools, and the Civic groups to make sure that people know about these vital changes. Going forward, we will stay committed to doing whatever we can to help all concerned parties continue to make strides in improving both safety and traffic for the people of Staten Island."

  DOT conducted an in-depth study of local traffic conditions and concluded that implementing a one-way traffic pattern around the schools would help ease congestion. Beginning April 26th, Brighton Street will flow one-way northbound from Hylan Boulevard to Amboy Road, and Yetman Avenue will travel one-way southbound from Amboy Road to Hylan Boulevard.  This matched pair of parallel one-way streets will allow for more orderly traffic flow around the schools - keeping kids safe and motorists moving.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Jordan Barowitz   (212) 788-2958

Tom Cocola   (DOT)
(212) 442-7033




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