Queens, NY – Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D,WF-Flushing) announces that New York City Department of Transportation’s (“DOT”) agreed to install traffic calming measures in Flushing near multiple schools for which Rozic, elected officials, advocates, and community members have requested for years.

“The Flushing community has long advocated for pedestrian safety enhancements on Colden Street and it is thanks to their efforts that we have secured additional lighting and crosswalk signals,” said Assemblywoman Rozic. “I am glad that DOT has recognized the critical need to implement these changes and look forward to their upcoming installation.”

“It is comforting to work with dedicated community leaders like Assemblywoman Rozic, who fight for our children’s safety. Aggressive driving on Colden Street at Geranium Avenue has been a concern for East West and I.S. 237 for a long time,” said Anthony Cromer, Principal of the East-West School of International Studies. “The installation of the flashing Beacon Light is a great step in the right direction,”

“The Muslim Center School community is grateful for the steps being taken by DOT to address traffic concerns in the neighborhood,” said Nahid R. Farooqi, Principal of the Muslim Center School. “We believe safety should always be a priority and we thank Assemblywoman Rozic for joining us over the past years in calling for additional improvements to ensure our students’ safety.”

“As parents who lost a child a few blocks away at Cherry Avenue and Main Street due to traffic violence, it’s encouraging to see DOT is adding more safety measures in this area,” said Amy Tam, Co-Founder of Families for Safe Streets said Amy Tam, Co-Founder of Families for Safe Streets. “We hope DOT continues to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists over cars when evaluating streets because they are our most vulnerable road users.”

The safety treatments, which are called rectangular rapid-flashing beacon (“RRFB”) lights, allow pedestrians to press a button that activates warning lights at the crosswalk, which then alerts drivers to the presence of students and pedestrians. DOT will install the lights in the coming weeks near Rachel Carson Intermediate School 237Q, the Muslim Center Junior High School, and the East-West School of International Studies at Colden Street and Geranium Avenue. As a part of the RRFB lights installation, new crosswalk markings and signage to improve overall visibility will also be installed. Rozic has long worked with DOT to improve pedestrian safety.