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November 9, 2017

Newly Widened Sidewalks in Downtown Flushing Ease Crowding Within One of City’s Busiest Pedestrian Hubs

DOT, DDC and CM Koo mark end of $7.8 million project with wider sidewalks along Main Street

Contact:
Ian Michaels
718-391-1589

Flushing, NY – NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Deputy Commissioner for Infrastructure Eric MacFarlane joined Council Member Peter Koo in Downtown Flushing today to mark the end of a $7.8 million project that has brought wider sidewalks to the main commercial district along Main Street, together with new street amenities that will improve traffic flow and increase pedestrian safety in this major transit hub.

In its first reconstruction in over 20 years, Main Street has had its sidewalks widened by up to nine feet in some areas from 38th Avenue to 41st Avenue, to reduce crowding and facilitate pedestrian movement. This project also included upgraded water mains and sewers; new catch basins and fire hydrants; improved high-efficiency street lighting and traffic signals; new high-strength concrete reinforced bus pads; and a new northbound SBS bus lane between 40th Road and Roosevelt Avenue. Main Street has been reconstructed and resurfaced from curb-to-curb in the project managed by DDC for DOT.

Work took place on Main Street between 38th and 41st avenues in Flushing, Queens

“In support of Mayor de Blasio’s vision for safer streets, we’re very pleased to partner with DOT to relieve congestion and enhance access to public transportation in one of NYC’s busiest pedestrian areas,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Ana Barrio. “This stretch of Main Street is a vital transportation and commercial hub, and this project will allow for better movement and more orderly growth in the community.”

“These newly-widened sidewalks here on Main Street will support more efficient movement of people on this key commercial corridor,” said DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia. “This safety project also included major infrastructure work that rehabilitated this street through a complete reconstruction, something that hasn’t been done in 20 years.”

“After more than a year of construction in the busiest transportation hub in Queens, we are extremely excited to announce that the Main Street reconstruction and sidewalk widening is finally finished,” stated Council Member Peter Koo. “Today marks the completion of one of the biggest infrastructure improvements to Flushing’s transportation hub in the last 20 years. For far too long, Flushing’s sidewalks were too small to accommodate the thousands of people who commute here via bus, train and car. Now with as much as nine feet of new sidewalk space in some places, walking down Main Street is a new and improved experience. I was proud to contribute over $300,000 in funding toward this effort, and I want to thank the DOT and DDC for working closely with my office over the last several years to make sure this project best serves the people who live, work and visit Flushing for years to come.”

“The reconstruction of this vital stretch of Main Street will increase safety and street conditions to one of our city’s busiest corridors,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. “The new and wider sidewalks will also provide more space for pedestrians and ease crowding. As the population of Flushing continues to grow, it is critical that we maintain and invest in the area’s infrastructure and I thank Councilman Koo, the Department of Transportation and Department of Design and Constriction for undertaking this important initiative.”

new solar charging station
Main Street in Flushing with wider sidewalks, new bus pads and new street lighting

To accommodate traffic and businesses, work was completed overnight, with vehicle and pedestrian access maintained at each intersection. DDC also had a full-time Community Construction Liaison who is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese on-site every day to proactively address the concerns of local residents and businesses. 



About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to city projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.