Citing danger to students at class dismissal time, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D – Far Rockaway) is calling on the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve school-day parking regulations outside Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam.
“Our children and their parents should not have to weave in and out of cars just to get to the school door. This parking situation on Heyson Road is an accident waiting to happen,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “I urge the Transportation Department to consider installing new parking regulations outside Bais Yaakov Ateres Miriam, similar to every other school, before someone gets hurt.”
In a letter to DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia, Assemblyman Goldfeder requested the installation of “No Parking – School Days” signs outside the school’s entrance on Heyson Road. Goldfeder cited current alternate side parking regulations on the street, arguing that the lack of space for school buses creates a hazard to students during drop-off and dismissal.
The requested signs, which prohibit parking between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. when school is in session, would help accommodate buses and improve traffic flow. This would be a welcome improvement to parents and administrators at the school.
Goldfeder’s request comes amid ongoing efforts to improve safety on Far Rockaway streets. Last month, Goldfeder secured new crosswalk markings at Beach 9th Street and Roosevelt Court, Near Bnos Bais Yaakov, an intersection where, in 2014, the city previously installed a new traffic light at the Assemblyman’s request. According to the announcement, DOT will also be installing a new speed bump on Beach 17th Street, as well as a Goldfeder-requested traffic signal on Seagirt Boulevard at Beach 13th Street near Yeshiva Darchei Torah.
For Goldfeder, these improvements will go a long way in making streets safer around our yeshivas and schools and maintaining quality of life in the largely residential community.
“Our families deserve to have safe streets for pedestrians and drivers alike,” concluded Goldfeder. “The opportunity to walk safely to shul or yeshiva is part of what makes Far Rockaway such a great community.”
(YWN Desk – NYC)
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2 Responses
BH!!!
I agree that there is a lot of congestion in that area, and it is unsafe. However, the solution is not so simple.
There is very limited parking available in that area, with many two family (and more) homes in the area. The school does not have a parking lot, and it seems that most of the cars parked there are staff members of the school. Where will they park? In front of homes which already have only one spot for two families?!?
Some of them would be able,to park on Seagirt, if it wouldn’t be for the trucks which are parked there overnight, and not moved until after school begins.
There is an empty piece of land fenced of directly across from the school. Maybe make that into a parking lot so people will have a place to park. Otherwise, there does not seem to be a real practical solution.