Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) garnered the support of 35 major rabbis, principals and school administrators on Friday, who sent a letter to Governor Cuomo in an effort to prevent traffic changes from going into effect on Ocean Parkway.

“We are writing to express our deep concern over proposed changes that will eliminate certain right turns along Ocean Parkway, and that we feel will be detrimental to the safety of our community residents, particularly the elderly and children,” the letter read. “As local rabbis, school principals and administrators, we, more than anyone else, know how densely populated the community is.”

The letter went on to describe Ocean Parkway as a major thoroughfare that is utilized by tens of thousands of motorists at any given time. “Forcing more traffic onto surrounding streets will pose a tremendous risk to the safety of the residents. By diverting traffic onto the service roads and nearby streets, the likelihood of an accident, G-d forbid, will increase dramatically.”

As a result of a communitywide uproar over the impending traffic changes, Assemblyman Hikind scheduled a meeting with NYS DOT Deputy Commissioner Phil Eng, elected officials and community leaders on Monday to discuss safety concerns. The meeting was scheduled shortly after Assemblyman Hikind’s petition to stop the madness and postpone the traffic changes went viral, receiving over 1,000 signatures in just one day.

“We must continue to express our frustration and do all we can to prevent these dangerous traffic changes from going into effect,” Hikind said. “I want to thank all of the wonderful community leaders and outraged residents who have fought to suspend these changes, and I look forward to meeting with NYS DOT officials to resolve this issue.”

While optimistic about Monday’s meeting with NYS DOT officials, Assemblyman Hikind requests that the community continue calling Governor Cuomo’s office at 212-681-4580 and ask him to immediately suspend the traffic changes until further review.

(YWN Desk – NYC)