For “Queens Day” Commissioner Rodriguez Visits, Speaks With Local Leaders, Residents About Transportation Priorities

“QUEENS DAY”: COMMISSIONER RODRIGUEZ MEETS WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND REVIEWS IMPORTANT PROJECTS DURING ALL-DAY VISIT TO QUEENS

DOT builds community partnerships, connects with local leaders, and highlights critical work during action-packed day in “The World’s Borough.”

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez spent Monday in Queens engaging an array of stakeholders across the borough.  At meetings in local neighborhoods, as well as at Queens Borough Hall, the Commissioner met with Borough President Donovan Richards, City Council members Linda Lee and Nantasha William, Assembly Member Clyde Vanel, community board leaders, and Queens-based DOT staff. The visit spotlighted vital DOT projects that will enhance safety in Queens and strengthen relationships with local communities, enabling DOT to continue serving the needs of the public.

“The Administration of Mayor Eric Adams is committed to an equity based approach to infrastructure investment across the five boroughs — so delivering high-quality safety investments to Queens is a top priority,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “I was so pleased to begin my deeper dive into our work in each borough by spending the day speaking to the people of Queens, where I got a better sense of priorities across the borough.  From safer intersections to bus-priority lanes and so much more, today’s events raised important issues impacting communities while allowing me to see and celebrate the incredible work of DOT staff here. We thank Borough President Donovan Richards and our local elected leaders for hosting us, and their continued partnership as we explore critical improvements across the borough.”

“Improving transportation and enhancing street safety are key priorities for all Queens residents, so it was a pleasure to meet with Commissioner Rodriguez today to talk about what the DOT is and should be doing in these areas,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.  “Public input is critical in this process, so I am glad the Commissioner heard ideas from a variety of stakeholders about how the DOT can further transportation safety, equity, and reliability in Queens. I am committed to working with Commissioner Rodriguez and his entire team at DOT on how we can best achieve these important goals.” 

The Commissioner’s visit to Queens today included:

• A site visit with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr and Council Members Linda Lee and Nantasha Williams at a recently redesigned Vision Zero priority intersection at Springfield Blvd and Jamaica Avenue in Queens Village. The intersections are part of a corridor-wide Street Improvement Project that began in 2022 along Jamaica Avenue, a high-crash corridor.  The improvements are expected to be completed by next spring.

• A site visit to a major DOT facility on Harper Street in Willets Point where he engaged with borough-based staff.

• Meetings with Borough President Richards and Community Board Chairs at Queens Borough Hall to discuss critical issues impacting people across the borough, including communities the Commissioner was unable to get to today.

The Queens Day events were the first among several that the Commissioner plans to undertake to learn more about borough-specific challenges.  Through 2022, he has joined nearly 30 New York City council members for in-district tours or site visits, with plans for further visits in 2023.

Banner Image: Rodriguez meeting with politicians in Queens. Image Credit – NYC DOT

NYC DOT

The New York City Department of Transportation’s (NYC DOT) mission is to provide for the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible movement of people and goods in the City of New York and to maintain and enhance the transportation infrastructure crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of our primary customers, City residents.