The NYC DOT and the MTA Release Their Final Plans for the installation of Bus Lanes on 21st Street

The NYC DOT and the MTA have released their final plans for the installation of Bus Lanes, plus other pedestrian and Bus Stop elements on 21st st. They plan on beginning implementation this June.

We at OANA were members of the Community Advisory Board, and we did offer an alternative plan, including an extensive survey of the neighborhood.

OANA plan recommendations.

Following are the findings of the DOT and MTA

“NYC DOT is thankful for your participation as a Community Advisory Board member in the visioning process for the 21st Street corridor in Astoria and Long Island City. Final preparations are nearing completion and implementation will begin this month.

The final design of the project will entail the following:

• Dedicated Bus Lanes
  • Northbound bus lane from north of the bus stop at Queens Plaza North to 26^th Rd.
  • Southbound bus lane from south of the bus stop at Astoria Blvd to just north of Queens Plaza North. (Note: we are starting bus lane south of Astoria Blvd to minimize potential traffic impacts to the intersection of 21^st St/Astoria Blvd)
  • Bus lanes are mostly offset from the curb but do shift to the curb at some intersections to accommodate pedestrian islands and/or left turn lanes.

• Bus Boarders (Plastic bus stop extensions):
  • 41st Ave (northbound)
  • 35th Ave (northbound and southbound)

• Left Turn Lanes: 
  • 41st Ave (southbound)
  • 40th Ave (northbound)
  • 36th Ave (southbound)
  • 30th Ave (northbound)
  • Astoria Blvd (northbound)

• Pedestrian Islands:
  • 40th Ave (north side)
  • 36th Ave (south side)
  • Broadway (south and north sides)
  • 30th Ave (north side)
  • Astoria Blvd (north side)

• Painted Curb Extensions:
  • 41st Ave (NE corner)
  • 40th Ave (NW corner)
  • 38th Ave (NE and NW corners)
  • 14th St (NW corner)
  • 35th Ave (all four corners)
  • 34th Ave (SE and NW corners)

• Left Turn Calming Treatments:
  • 21^st St and Hoyt Avenue South

• Bike Corrals:
  • 14 St (NW corner)
  • 41^st Ave (NW corner)

Bus stop changes and the re-route to the Q102 bus route, as presented to Community Board 1 will also be made during project implementation.

Finally, the New York City Department of Parks will also be installing 50-100 new trees by December 2022 per our request.

Work will begin in June starting with the construction of pedestrian islands, followed by signage, pavement markings, and signals. Implementation is expected to take 8 to 10 weeks with the lanes fully operational by the end of the Summer. I attach an implementation flyer which we will distribute along the corridor. We encourage you to forward it and this message to others who may be interested in this project. More project information is available at nyc.gov/busprojects

Christopher Hrones, AICP

Director – Strategic Transit Initiatives

New York City Department of Transportation”

We at OANA truly hope that the issues we brought up, and the alternative plan we espoused, proves not to be needed. We really do hope that our Government’s plan meets everyone’s needs and improves everyone’s quality of life, whether tradesmen, contractors, for-hire car drivers who use vehicles for their business, or pedestrians, alternative transit (Bicycles, scooters, mopeds) and public transit users.

Please reach out to us at Info@oana-ny.org for any observations and comments once the 21^st st changes are up and running. We exist to make the community’s views known to our Government Agencies, and your experiences, observations, and recommendations are essential to creating a transit system that treats all members of our society with respect and dignity.