SMART CREW in Queens
One of the few graffiti crews doing double duty both on the streets and in legal avenues. I love the stuff SMART Crew puts out and it's always fun to encounter their stickers in places very far from NYC. Look out for them!
Mayor de Blasio to Propose Streetcar Line Linking Brooklyn and Queens
Building a Subway in NYC takes forever. Maybe it's time to try a streetcar? Mayor Bill de Blasio will announce the proposal of a streetcar running along the East River from Astoria, Queens to Sunset Park in Brooklyn. The proposed line, dubbed the Brooklyn Queens Connector, will serve some of Queens and Brooklyn's newly revived neighborhoods (which just so happen to be where a ton of uber-expensive housing will be in the future).
The project is estimated to cost about $2.5 billion with an opening date -- if approved -- by 2024. As you can imagine, there are a ton of hurdles to cross, especially for a transit system going through this many neighborhoods, but at least the conversation is going about finally getting a decent connection between Queens and Brooklyn that doesn't involve the G train or going through Manhattan. At the moment, I'm skeptical this will ever happen, but hey, the renderings are a nice way to dream.
The Transformation of Queens Boulevard
Queens Boulevard, nicknamed "The Boulevard of Death" due to the amount of deaths along its corridor from vehicular traffic, is getting some much-needed improvement for all types of traffic. Phase 1 of a major renovation project for Queens Boulevard has been completed and this video here sums up some of the improvements to traffic flow.
One of the major distinctions here is the change in usage of Queens Boulevard's service roads and main roads. Previously, both were used simultaneously by vehicular traffic as mains thruways which caused quite a bit of anxiety for anybody walking, crossing, or cycling on the service road. Now, the service road has been narrowed for vehicular traffic, essentially slowing down cars and allowing for a beautiful bike lane and extended sidewalk for pedestrians.
This Phase 1 completion also closes redundant roads turning onto highways and installs a ton of new crosswalk markings and lights. And with no deaths on Queens Boulevard reported in 2015, maybe it's a sign that these improvements are making this surrounding area in Queens just a little more liveable. I can't wait to bike here. :)