Flushing, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Fresh Meadows), State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing), Council Member Peter Koo (D-Flushing), and local community leaders thanked the City Department of Transportation (DOT) for converting two streets near P.S. 163 Flushing Heights School from two way to one way after years of advocacy from school and civic leaders.

“The P.S. 163 Flushing Heights community has gone for far too long without additional measures to make streets safer for local families and children,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “I am glad that the City Department of Transportation has implemented these changes and am confident that they will significantly ease congestion in the Queensboro Hill area.”

“I am pleased to hear the Department of Transportation has taken the community’s recommendation in converting the roads around PS 163 into one-way streets,” said Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “This seemingly small change will create a safer environment for pedestrians and drivers. I want to thank the community and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic for tirelessly advocating for these changes and the Queens Commissioner Nicole Garcia for once again listening to our recommendations.”

“For years, our community has asked for improvements to the streets surrounding PS 163 in order to ensure the safety of the hundreds of students and families who use them every day,” said Council Member Peter Koo. “While solutions to our local traffic safety and congestion issues may not always be immediately apparent, these modifications show that when the city is willing to work with communities in good faith, real progress can be made. Thank you to the DOT, Assemblywoman Rozic, PS 163, and all the community members who were relentless in their pursuit of these improvements.”

“DOT is excited to implement this change around P.S. 163,” said Nicole Garcia, NYC Department of Transportation’s Queens Borough Commissioner. “Converting 159th Street and 160th Street to one-ways will simplify vehicular movements around the school and make pedestrian crossings safer and more predictable.”

“Community Board 7 is pleased that this one-way conversion which was long overdue will increase safety for students by eliminating vehicle and pedestrian conflicts at the intersection of 59th Ave and 160th Street,” said Gene Kelty, Chair, Community Board 7.

“I am thrilled that the street changes surrounding my building are taking effect and will be in place before the start of the school year,” said Francine Marsaggi, Principal, P.S. 163. “This is a long time coming and will help ease the dangerous traffic conditions that our community contends with on a daily basis. I believe that these changes will allow for smoother and safer transitions during our morning ingress and our afternoon dismissal. On behalf of the families and staff of the P.S. 163 Community, I want to thank Assemblywoman Rozic and her staff for making this happen.”

“I would like to congratulate and thank Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and her hard-working staff for successfully addressing the long-delayed street safety needs of P.S. 163 students,” said Don Capalbi, President Emeritus, Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association.

In response to traffic congestion caused by P.S. 163 Flushing Heights pick up and drop off, Assemblywoman Rozic, State Senator Stavisky, and Council Member Koo contacted DOT requesting a traffic study to determine the feasibility of potential additional safety measures for the area surrounding the school. DOT determined that the school was eligible for street conversions and scheduled implementation to occur on Tuesday, July 17th.