Flushing, NY – Today, United States Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows) announced that, after their push, the City Department of Transportation (DOT) will install a crosswalk across Flushing’s Blossom Avenue, on the west side of Main Street. The announcement follows ongoing efforts Schumer and Rozic have taken with DOT for a traffic study at the intersection of Blossom Avenue and Main Street. The new crosswalk is expected to be painted before the end of the year.

“For too long, the intersection of Blossom Avenue and Main Street has been a problem plagued road for nearby residents and businesses. I’m pleased that, with the help of Assemblywoman Rozic and local community leaders, the NYC Department of Transportation has heeded our call by moving forward with a plan to make this intersection safer. A new crosswalk will help ensure the safety of pedestrians frequenting the bustling area by providing a visual cue to drivers,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.

“The Flushing community has consistently advocated for traffic safety improvements in the neighborhood and I am glad to finally announce DOT’s plan to install a crosswalk across Blossom Avenue. I am proud of the efforts that went into securing the traffic study and thank Senator Schumer and our community partners for their work in prioritizing the safety of everyone travelling through the area,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic.

In October 2015, Rozic wrote to DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia requesting that traffic calming measures be installed at the intersection. The letter cited a crash that occurred that month in which a young couple was struck trying to cross the street and the high volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the neighborhood. Multiple public schools, residential buildings, the Public Health Solutions’ Neighborhood WIC Center, Queens Botanical Garden, and SelfHelp Rosenthal Senior Center surround the intersection that currently has no traffic calming measures.

At a press conference last year, Rozic was joined by State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Council Member Peter Koo, and community partners including the Neighborhood WIC Center to call on DOT to implement traffic calming measures at the heavily trafficked intersection. Schumer’s office advocated on behalf of the community and urged the NYC DOT to conduct a traffic study and implement a plan aimed at making the intersection at Blossom Avenue and Main Street safer for pedestrians.

“The installation of this crosswalk will go a long way towards improving the safety for all who travel through the area. Thanks to Senator Schumer and Assemblywoman Rozic for leading this important effort,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens).

“Flushing has been in desperate need of traffic calming measures and DOT Queens Commissioner Nicole Garcia has been receptive to our suggestions. The new crosswalk will deter future pedestrian and vehicular accidents and get us a step closer to a fully realized Vision Zero. I wish to thank Assemblywoman Nily Rozic for her continued advocacy and Commissioner Garcia for responding to the needs of Queens residents,” said State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing).

“Any safety enhancements on Main Street are a welcome improvement, especially at the intersection of Blossom and Main where so many are forced to cross the street without any traffic controls. This will provide families and all pedestrians in this some needed guidance when traveling through the busy Main Street area. Thank you to Assemblywoman Rozic, the DOT, and all our partners for working to keep our streets safe for everyone,” said Council Member Peter Koo (D-Flushing).

“As Flushing grows, we need as many traffic safety measures as possible on our busy streets, especially in areas with many young children and families. I am very happy that NYC DOT will be painting this crosswalk on Blossom Avenue near Main Street. Thanks to all of the elected officials, including City Council Member Koo, State Senator Stavisky, Congresswoman Meng, and especially Senator Schumer and Assemblywoman Rozic for their continued advocacy and I look forward to working with them more in the future to keep our communities safe,” said Peter Tu, Executive Director of the Flushing Chinese Business Association and District Leader.

“We are glad to hear that the DOT will be installing a crosswalk across Blossom Avenue. It’s sad that it took a life in 2015 and 5 known injuries from 2015 till now to install a crosswalk here. The family of the victims and lives of those injured are forever changed. Anybody who has been to this area knows it’s packed with families with strollers, older adults and everybody in between walking to the many grocery stores and medical facilities nearby,” said Amy and Hsi-Pei Liao, founding members of Families for Safe Streets.

“Public Health Solutions’ Flushing Neighborhood WIC Center thanks the offices of Senator Schumer, Congresswoman Meng, State Senator Stavisky, Assemblywoman Rozic, and Council Member Koo for their dedicated efforts to the NYC Department of Transportation to provide a solution to the unsafe traffic area directly outside of our center. The area has posed an ongoing safety concern for our WIC moms and children and we expect that the implementation of a cross-walk will ensure a safer street for our WIC families, staff and the Flushing community,” said Lisa David, Public Health Solutions President and CEO.

Schumer and Rozic said that this announcement is a significant step forward in providing the Flushing community with improvements that will ensure the safety of all who traffic this area. It is also a reflection of the collaborative efforts between local electeds, community leaders, and neighborhood organizations that have consistently advocated for traffic calming measures in the area. Schumer and Rozic urge residents to keep their offices apprised of traffic safety concerns and needs.