Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Division of Transportation have introduced that the second section of the thirty first Avenue “bike boulevard” redesign in Astoria will start later this 12 months, connecting Steinway Road to 51st Road.
The redesign proposes putting in a two-way, parking-protected bike lane between Steinway and 51st Streets, making a steady bike boulevard alongside thirty first Avenue from Vernon Boulevard in Lengthy Island Metropolis to Woodside.
The bike path will even connect with current biking infrastructure on Crescent Road and the Queens Waterfront Greenway alongside the East River, in addition to connecting to current bike lanes on Northern Boulevard.
Metropolis Corridor stated the venture, together with current protected lanes on thirty fourth Avenue and Broadway, will assist to create a completely protected east-west hall stretching from the East River to Jackson Heights.
Section one and section two of the thirty first Avenue bike boulevard. Photograph by way of NYC DOT
The town additional described the second section of the thirty first Avenue venture as a redesign that “prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians while maintaining local vehicle access.” The venture is designed to scale back site visitors, sluggish car speeds and create safer and extra comfy routes for bike riders of all ages, town added.
“Bike boulevards calm our streets, protect pedestrians and cyclists and make clear that public spaces belong to people, not just cars,” Mamdani stated in an announcement. “This next phase of improvements will help knit Astoria and Woodside together with safer, greener and more accessible streets for New Yorkers.”
DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn stated the redesign of thirty first Avenue was “born out of a need for a safer street that prioritizes community building.”
“Phase two expands this successful project with more pedestrian space, shortened crossings and enhanced visibility, and brings a much-needed cycling connection from Woodside, through the heart of Astoria, to the East River,” Flynn stated in an announcement.
Section 2 of the venture will overhaul sections of thirty first Avenue, creating 4-foot-wide bike lanes in every route in addition to 9-foot-wide parking lanes on both aspect of a one-way transferring lane for automobiles, measuring 10 toes throughout. At current, the hall boasts 12-foot-wide shared transferring lanes for cyclists and motorists in each instructions, with eight-foot-wide parking lanes on both aspect of the avenue.
Current design (prime) and proposed redesign (backside) for bike boulevard on thirty first Avenue. Photograph by way of NYC DOT
The DOT has recognized thirty first Avenue between Steinway Road and 51st Road as a “Vision Zero Priority Area,” outlined as a zone with a excessive variety of pedestrian deaths and critical accidents. The company has recorded critical accidents to seven pedestrians and two cyclists alongside the stretch between 2021 and 2025. One bike owner was additionally killed alongside the hall throughout that timeframe.
Based on DOT information, 67% of journeys to native companies in Astoria are taken on foot or by bike in comparison with 17% taken by automotive.
Section 2 of the redesign will introduce site visitors diversions at sure intersections to scale back car quantity, cut-through truck site visitors and discourage rushing. The diversions will keep native entry and parking for residents and companies, the DOT stated. Nonetheless, the company stated the diversions would assist cut back “conflicts” at intersections alongside the hall, bettering security for highway customers.
The venture will even introduce a round site visitors diverter at thirty first Avenue and forty third Avenue to enhance visibility and shorten pedestrian crossings. The DOT stated the design will keep entry for emergency automobiles and buses, in addition to permitting automobiles to proceed making all present actions by the intersection.
The proposed redesign of the intersection at thirty first Avenue and forty third Road. Photograph by way of NYC DOT
Along with the growth of the bike boulevard, the DOT will even be making some changes to infrastructure put in throughout Section 1 of the venture, together with including a brand new site visitors sign at Vernon Boulevard and updating indicators at thirty fifth Road. The company can be introducing new curb rules alongside the hall to supply further loading zones and encourage car turnover.
The growth has been broadly supported by native elected officers, together with U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Meeting Member Diana Moreno, State Sen. Mike Gianaris and Council Member Tiffany Cabán.
Richards described thirty first Avenue as some of the crucial arteries in Astoria and added that it’s important to make sure that the hall is secure for all highway customers.
“With these new protections, we will not only make 31st Avenue a more inviting place but a safer one as well,” Richards stated in an announcement.
Velázquez, in the meantime, stated the extension would tackle a crucial security subject alongside the hall.
“Too many pedestrians and cyclists have been hurt or killed along this stretch of 31st Avenue. Extending the bike boulevard will calm traffic, protect people walking and biking and reflect how Astoria residents actually move through their neighborhood every day,” Velázquez stated in an announcement.
