Queens Borough President Announces Safety Upgrades for Cross Bay Boulevard

By Marcus Vance, Local Politics Reporter | February 28, 2026 | Government & Politics

NEW YORK — "Our residents deserve streets that prioritize life over speed," Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced Friday morning during a press conference at the intersection of Cross Bay Boulevard and 159th Avenue. The borough president unveiled a comprehensive safety plan backed by four million dollars in municipal capital funding.

The initiative aims to redesign several high-risk pedestrian crossings and install raised medians along the busy transit corridor. The announcement follows years of lobbying by local civic associations demanding structural roadway changes.

Capital Funding Directed Toward High-Risk Intersections

The newly secured city funding will target six specific intersections that have historically recorded high rates of pedestrian and cyclist accidents. Key upgrades will include the installation of high-visibility crosswalks, countdown signals, and extended curb extensions.

These physical changes are intended to shorten crossing distances for seniors and children walking to local parks and schools. Work is scheduled to begin in late spring, with the Department of Transportation supervising construction.

Civic Leaders Welcome Infrastructure Investment in South Queens

Local leaders expressed relief at the funding commitment, noting that the corridor has long felt neglected compared to other transit hubs in northern Queens. Community boards have repeatedly highlighted the need for traffic-calming measures.

"This capital injection is a major victory for our neighborhood safety advocates," said Community Board 10 Chair Elizabeth Braton. "We have spent years documenting near-misses and calling for structural intervention to protect our families."

Broader Transportation Safety Goals Across the Borough

The funding announcement is part of a larger, borough-wide push to reduce traffic fatalities. City planners are analyzing speed patterns along major roads to determine if lower limits are necessary.

These transit upgrades are rolling out alongside other regional safety measures. Local authorities are also stepping up security and investigative resources, such as those detailed when the Queens District Attorney prosecutes unsolved Broad Channel shooting cases to curb violence on surrounding roadways.

Multi-Agency Coordination for Highway Upgrades

Achieving lasting safety requires cooperation between several city and state agencies. The Department of Design and Construction will work with utility companies to ensure that underground infrastructure is not disrupted during the road work.

Local businesses along the boulevard will be consulted to minimize construction disruptions to daily commerce. Updates on the project's progress will be made available through the WABC News portal as the construction timeline advances.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is construction scheduled to begin on the safety upgrades?

Preliminary construction and utility mapping are slated to begin in late May 2026, with major roadway work commencing in June. The Department of Transportation plans to perform most of the high-impact paving and barrier installation during overnight hours to minimize traffic disruptions for daily commuters.

How will these upgrades affect parking along the commercial corridors?

The safety plan has been designed to preserve the vast majority of existing curbside parking spaces. Some adjustments will be made near corners to improve visibility at crosswalks, but city planners have assured local merchants that commercial loading zones will remain fully functional throughout the construction period.