Fresh Meadows – Councilman James F. Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) joined fellow community leaders and the principal of nearby Holy Family School to draw badly needed attention to the problem of speeding vehicles along a residential stretch of 75th Avenue in his Council District.

“For too long, motorists looking to avoid traffic on Union Turnpike have put people’s lives at risk by traveling at excessive speeds down a winding residential street that is not meant to be a major thoroughfare,” Gennaro said. “Children walking to school and elderly people walking to the store shouldn’t have to dodge speeding cars. It’s time for the City to stand up and take concrete steps to slow down vehicles and keep pedestrians and bicyclists safe.”

Since 2011, Councilman Gennaro has made three requests to the city Department of Transportation to institute traffic calming measures in the neighborhood, including four-way stop signs at the corner of 75th Avenue and 172nd Street – three blocks away from Holy Family School. Currently, city DOT is conducting a six-month study into the feasibility of installing speed bumps along 75th Avenue between 164th Street and Utopia Parkway. That study is expected to be completed in October.

"For too long, 75th Avenue has been the scene of traffic related incidents and injuries,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D, WF-Fresh Meadows). “I am confident that by working together with city agencies, colleagues in government, and community members we can institute effective and creative ways to increase safety on the corridor, and find the short-term and long-term solutions to ensure a better 75th Avenue for all pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.”

Last year, there were 14 injuries involving vehicle occupants on this 10-block stretch of road, according to Transportation Alternatives.

“I’ve seen a tremendous increase in traffic along 75th Avenue,” said Holy Family School principal Mary Scheer on Tuesday. “There are few barriers to stop motorists from traveling on unsafe speeds. It’s a dangerous situation for everyone living in this neighborhood – especially our kids.”