You are reading

Van Bramer, Transit Advocates Rally for a Safer Northern Boulevard

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and transit advocates rallied Wednesday morning on Northern Boulevard. (Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer / Twitter)

Dec. 13, 2019 By Allie Griffin

Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer and Queens transit advocates rallied for a safer Northern Boulevard on Wednesday morning.

The advocates called for a dedicated bus lane, a protected bike lane and safer street designs along the road, where 1,200 people have been injured since 2014, according to Van Bramer’s office.

Community members have expressed dissatisfaction with the Q66 bus line and asked for service improvements. They say bus stops are frequently blocked by personal and official vehicles.

Q66 Bus Route

“If we are going to fix Northern Boulevard and tame this wild-west roadway we must have a busway, we must have bus lanes, and we must make it safer in every possible way,” Van Bramer said.

He noted that many children go to schools along the dangerous roadway.

“We want more people riding buses, but we must make bus service work,” he added. “The buses cannot be blocked by cars, delivery vehicles and other commercial vehicles.”

The snowy morning rally was one of several across the city organized by the Riders Alliance and Transportation Alternatives. They launched the #BetterBuses day of action to encourage the City to improve bus service, add more designated bus lanes and create more busways like 14th Street in Manhattan.

Northern Boulevard was chosen as it has a high number of traffic crashes and several pedestrians have been killed along the busy corridor over the past few years.

However, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has run into obstacles in the past when planning ways to make Northern Boulevard safer.

The DOT organized a series of workshops in 2018 to brainstorm safety improvements for the roadway after two pedestrians, including a 9-year-old boy, were killed crossing Northern Boulevard that year.

At the workshops, DOT representatives said one of the major challenges the agency faces in redesigning the stretch is the boulevard’s limited width — which at 70 feet is about half that of Queens Boulevard.

The stretch consists of two moving lanes either way, although a third lane is available for rush-hour traffic. Meanwhile, the roadway is a truck and bus route. There are also schools and small businesses along the roadway.

The smaller space makes it difficult from a redesign standpoint, officials said.

Northern Boulevard (Google)

email the author: news@queenspost.com

14 Comments

Click for Comments 
Oscar

I know two of those bozos show up at every Queens event where there are politicians to take photos with them. Pictures of them with Jimmy, Danny Dromm, Melinda Katz and you name it. The others are Jimmy’s staff and other kiss asses.

Reply
VelvetKnight

Toddddd: I’ve heard a lot of arguments against bike lanes, but a 7 lane road “not being wide enough” is definitely a first!

Anon: There are roads bikes aren’t allowed on. They’re called highways. But even if we ban bikes from Northern Blvd., how does that stop all the pedestrians from getting hit by cars there?

8
2
Reply
JVB for Borough President

JVB really puts his neck on the line with his causes. It really takes guts to come out in favor of a safer Northern Blvd. He’s showing that he is willing to stand up to those who are against it. He’s just type of leader Queens needs for Borough President.

5
18
Reply
LIC Direct

Why does Jimmy Van Bramer look so somber when he has to share a photo-op with others? Did not want to get wet? Did not want to be there? Look at that face! No Queens Borough Presidency for youuuuu!!!!!

31
4
Reply
Much needed

Thank you for your work Jimmy and transit and safety advocates. Once congestion pricing is in effect there will be much more opportunity on Northern.

11
28
Reply
Toddddd

Bike lanes will not make it safer. It does need some kind of redesign, but it’s not wide enough for bike lanes. It would be too dangerous for everyone, especially the bikers. But I doubt common sense will prevail here.

31
4
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.