City Council Majority Leader Van Bramer announces a stop sign at 51st Avenue and 5th Street in Long Island City with Assembly Member Cathy Nolan, DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia, Principal of Hunter’s Point Community Middle School Sarah Goodman, President of the PTA of Hunter’s Point Community Middle School Paul Cynamon, students from Hunter’s Point Community Middle School, and Community Board 2 Transportation Committee Member Sheila Lewandowski.After years of advocacy from parents, students, and elected officials, DOT reevaluated the intersection and approved an all-way stop sign.
On Friday, June 16th, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, students, parents, and faculty from Hunter’s Point Community Middle School, Assembly Member Cathy Nolan, the NYC Department of Transportation, and members of Community Board 2 announced that after years of relentless advocacy from the community, the Department of Transportation will install an all-way stop sign at the intersection of 51st Avenue and 5th Street, which is near several schools.
“For years, I’ve stood with parents, students, and the community in Long Island City who have tirelessly called for a stop sign at this dangerous intersection,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer. “I’m thrilled to announce that the Department of Transportation heard our voices and will install an all-way stop sign at the intersection of 51st Avenue and 5th Street. There is nothing more important than keeping our children safe, and the installation of this stop sign and other traffic calming measures is a victory for the parents and students of Long Island City.”
“On behalf of our school and friends, we really thank everyone that helped us get a stop sign, because we really needed it!” said Ava Lieberman, student at Hunter’s Point Community Middle School.
“I’m really happy to be here for this wonderful moment,” said Paul Cynamon, President of the PTA of Hunter’s Point Community Middle School. “We’ve spent a lot of time writing letters and getting petitions together, and the students here today should appreciate that their words can be listened to.”
“DOT is committed to working in Long Island City to make this growing community’s streets safer,” said NYC DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia. “Thanks to the leadership of the Council Member, Assembly Member and all of the advocacy by the students and parents and teachers, we are very happy with the results of the last study approving this stop sign.”
“The installation of an all-way stop at the intersection of 51st Avenue and 5th Street is a great victory for the many parents, students of Hunters Point Middle School and our Long Island City Community,” said Assembly Member Catherine Nolan. “I would like to thank my colleagues including Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, the Department of Transportation and their team along with all of our parents, students and residents for getting this done. Safe streets should be the highest priority in protecting our pedestrians.”
Over the past several years, Council Member Van Bramer has called for several safety improvements to this intersection and corridor in Long Island City to improve safety for students traveling to and from schools in the area. In 2014, Council Member Van Bramer requested the installation of three speed bumps between 48th and 51st Avenues on 5th Street.
On January 31st 2017, Council Member Van Bramer joined parents and students at this intersection to install a “people’s stop sign” after a request for a stop sign was denied. After continued pressure and advocacy, the Department of Transportation reevaluated the intersection and approved the request. By the end of this week, all-way stop signs will be installed in the intersection of 51st Avenue and 5th Street. Additionally, speed bumps will be added to a slow zone along 5th Street between 46th Avenue and 46th Road.
