Are Trucks Using Queens Roadways Illegally And Crashes With Cars Resulting From These Illegal Factors?

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The Queens Truck Route Study Public Outreach Meeting was held at Queens Borough Hall on July 9th 2003. This meeting was well attended by various community organizations, community boards, concerned residents, and elected officials.

Throughout the meeting, the project team responded to public comments and issues raised during the meeting. These are summarized below:

• Many comments revolved around JFK Airport and the surrounding industrial uses associated with the airport. Given the high volumes of trucks accessing this area, the Department will be looking at the facility and area closely. In reality, JFK Airport is a transportation node for the entire region, with trucks from throughout the five boroughs and beyond accessing its services and businesses.

• Representatives of the Maspeth community presented the “Maspeth Bypass” as a mechanism to move truck traffic from a predominately residential corridor onto another corridor to mitigate the negative impacts of truck traffic. The Department has meet with representatives in the past regarding this proposal, and will look at the feasibility of this proposal as part of the Truck Route Study. Representatives from DOT highlighted that these are the type of creative solutions they are looking for to mitigate the negative impacts of trucks.

• Project team members highlighted that the community survey only captured a small portion of the borough. However, the project team is aware of additional “Hot Spots” throughout the borough, and encourages residents, community groups and elected officials to continue to work with the Department in identifying these areas.

• Many attendees spoke of environmental and health concerns. The Department responded that they are working very closely with public health agencies in looking at environmental factors associated with trucks. In addition, the Department is working with the Sanitation Department to look at the issues pertaining to garbage trucks and waste haulage.

• The Department is committed to increased enforcement efforts, as is the NYPD. Officers in attendance highlighted their efforts to address truck traffic in their local patrol areas, and shared them with the project team and will continue to support these programs. The Department and NYPD urged concerned residents to work with their local precincts to identify problem areas so they can know where problems exist.

Speaker # 1

• Oversized tractor trailers and sanitation trucks using Grand Avenue are a major problem
• Trucks spew liquids and release odors
• Vibrations problems caused by trucks
• Chamber of Commerce has done a study
• Maspeth is a walking community with senior citizens

Speaker # 2
• The truck problem creates quality of life issues
• Presented a map illustrating a proposed “Bypass Route” for trucks (Get off LIE at Maurice
Avenue to 58th Street to Rust Street)
• All streets in proposed “Bypass Route” would need to be widened to accommodate trucks
3
• Truck routes in area of Grand Avenue were created prior to the construction of the LIE
(major problem)
• Trucks use the shortest route, rather than following designated truck routes
• There are 6,000 trucks per day on Grand Avenue
• Diesel fuel emissions from trucks contributes to air pollution problem (spew diesel
emissions)
• Diesel fuel emissions is a larger problem than the cigarette smoke issue the City is
concerned with
• Waste trucks from Long Island come off LIE and use Grand Avenue to get to Brooklyn
• Trucks present a problem to the schools along Grand Avenue (spewing asthma causing
pollutants and are too loud for students to hear teachers)
• Grand Avenue is a designated truck route south of LIE
• Trucks try to avoid traffic on the LIE
• Put truck trips on rail (long term solution)
• On December 26, 2001 the Community Board voted unanimously to have truck routes
changed
Speaker # 3
• Zip code 11434 is missing from the presentation
• Lives in SE Queens (South Springfield Gardens)
• Has been fighting for 30 years for a South Shore Study
• Eight streets have been blocked off
• South of 147th Avenue is zoned Commercial
• The air freight industry in zoned M1 and causes 1000’s of trucks in the area daily
• 15 years ago land use separation so that trucks cannot pass through the area
• The former Borough President told him that “truck drivers don’t believe in signs”
• Trucks begin running at 5:00 AM and drive all day long
• Sign at 175th Street and Farmers Boulevard says “No thru commercial traffic”
• Verizon trucks go down South Conduit Avenue to 175th Street to Farmers Boulevard and
back to get to/from the Verizon facility
• 100-200 trucks per day for the Verizon facility
• These trucks shouldn’t be using these streets
• Something needs to be done for the people
• Tired of listening to the trucks
• DOT needs to look into the area near South Conduit Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard
(illegal trucks are using these streets)
• People must be put before industry
• There are more local trucks in the area from air freight than ever before
Representative for Councilman Leroy Comrie
• Others can speak more directly and personally to issues
Speaker # 5
• Queens is the stepchild of Long Island and Manhattan
• Everyone uses the streets to go to airports
• Parking on service roads of Queens Boulevard prevents buses from stopping
• Some buses use the express lanes to avoid double parked trucks
• Truck traffic on 57th Street 24 hours a day
4
• Van Horn Street, Seabury Street and 56th Avenue are used as truck routes
• He writes letters to the papers and no one listens
• Trucks are killing Queens
Speaker # 6
• Truck traffic in eastern Queens is a problem and it is getting worse
• More and more trucks are going to the airport
• Not enough roads to the airport
• Truck traffic is almost unbearable
• Roads are in terrible condition as a result of the trucks
• Trucks knock down wires and tree limbs
• In the north, truck traffic is a problem in mostly residential areas
• He supports increased enforcement and more stringent regulations
• Mark non-truck routes as “No Truck Route”
• DOT refuses to use negative signage
• Community Boards should be involved because they know the communities
• Strengthen penalties on drivers and businesses (especially those that break the rules
knowingly)
Speaker #7
• 59th Drive resident (between Rust Street and 60th Street)
• 500-1000 trucks per day use 59th Drive
• Trucks go through the traffic light at the intersection of Rust Street and 60th (use as a stop
sign) – unsafe for people trying to cross
• Put a stop sign at this intersection
• Diesel fumes/pollution issues caused by trucks
• 59th Drive from Fresh Pond Road to 60th Street is a one way; then it becomes two way from
60th Street to Rust Street (This is where most of the problems are) – Should be a one way the
entire stretch
• Government says diesel doesn’t cause cancer, but everyone knows it does
• People want to get involved, but they are fed up
• Studies waste money and don’t always work
• The recommendations of this study need to be implemented
• Police enforcement 24 hours per day would be cheaper than studies
• The presence of police officers in these areas would fix the problems
• Signs do nothing
Speaker # 8
• Resident of 59th Place in Maspeth
• 53 foot tractor trailers, coach buses and gas trucks are the problem
• There are 500+ trucks per day
• On 59th Drive, trucks are not supposed to be on the bridge at Andrews Avenue
Speaker # 9
• Problems north of Northern Boulevard
• The land uses in this area are residential and the trucks should not be using these streets
• 32nd Avenue (just north of Northern Boulevard) has become a major truck route to bayside –
this is a problem
• 32nd Avenue is used as a bypass of Northern Boulevard to provide easy access to Bayside
5
• Trucks damage trees
• Noise begins at 5:00 AM
• Air pollution caused by the trucks
• Trucks run the red traffic signals and stop signs
• Cars are damaged
• The streets are not wide enough for the trucks
• Trucks are a problem for the parks and religious uses in the area
• Negative signs should be used
• Has been told negative signs are not used
• DOT says it is a police issue and the police say it is a DOT issue
• All types of trucks, including 18 wheelers are on 32nd Avenue (shouldn’t be there)
• 32nd Street is not wide enough for trucks because there is parking on both sides
• Commercial vehicles park on street (including overnight) on 32nd Avenue
• Trucks are parked in driveways – inspectors should be used at night to ticket trucks parked
in driveways
William Scarborough – Assemblyman, 29th District
• Illegal truck traffic is a huge problem
• Trucks knock down wires
• Trucks are parked illegally on streets for hours and days
• Hopes study will improve quality of life
• Truck traffic has been an issue since he has been on the community board
• Wants negative signage
• Wants truck task force to enforce no parking in residential areas and truck routes
• Truck task force should be 2 or 3 agencies
• Laws on the books are not enforced
• Should be able to immobilize trucks of repeat/flagrant offenders
• Hopes study will benefit the City and the community
• M1 district next to residences generate truck traffic, causing tremendous problems to the
community
Speaker # 11
• Henderson Avenue curves to 183rd Place
• A park is located at the end of the curve – the truck traffic is very dangerous for kids using
the park
• Trucks drive very fast around the curve and should slow down
• Trucks use Farmers Boulevard and Liberty Avenue as a cut through
• The area resembles a racetrack
Speaker #12
• Problems in Southeast Queens
• Problems in the area because residents have nice homes and money
• Trucks re-route to this neighborhood as a result of their financial status
• Problems on Hillside Avenue, Merrick Boulevard and Montauk Street
• Trucks are traveling on Merrick Boulevard
• There are 20 transfer stations located in Southeast Queens
• DEC, DEP, DOS and the Buildings Department never enforce the rules of the transfer
stations
6
• Tractor trailers are half as long as the block
• Four schools and three churches are located on the block
• Truck idling is a problem
• Diesel fuel emissions are a problem
• Odors from the transfer stations are a problem
• Truck drivers threaten people
• Police are unresponsive to resident complaints
• Witnessed a tractor trailer running over a car
• Believes cancers in the area, as well as hers were caused by transfer stations
• No more tractor trailers on Montauk Street
Speaker #13
• The Jewel Avenue exit from the Van Wyck Expressway northbound is a major truck traffic
problem area
• Trucks actually exit onto 72nd Avenue rather than Jewel Avenue (don’t continue to Jewel
Avenue)
• Trucks cause broken sewers and water mains below the street
• Negative signage and arrows leading trucks to Jewel Avenue are needed
Speaker # 14
• Ditmars Boulevard in East Elmhurst is a major problem area
• Truck traffic on the road is a problem 24 hours a day
• Believes concerns fall on deaf ears
• Ditmars Boulevard has negative signage, but it is unreadable
• Water main breaks and pothole problems are frequents as a result trucks
• Trucks are a nuisance
• Wants a “No trucks” sign on 94th Street
• Ditmars Boulevard has become a shortcut to LaGuardia Airport
• One traffic light was installed after they were promised two
• Wants negative signage
Speaker # 15
• Resident of Corona
• Ditmars Boulevard and Grand Avenue are residential streets
• Stated that Ditmars Boulevard is not on the map
• Wanted to know what it took to get a zip code on the survey
• Trucks should use the bypass, but it is not the shortest route
• There are large trucks on Astoria Boulevard
• Boulevards are being damaged by the trucks
• There are drainage problems
• Need to look into infrastructure technology
• Some routes are like mini expressways
• Residential buildings along Ditmars Boulevard are being damaged by trucks
• Wants to see the paving upgraded
• Maybe the use of smaller trucks would be beneficial
• Taxpayers are the ones who are suffering
Speaker # 16
• Commerce is getting a better deal along Ditmars Boulevard
7
• Trying to improve community and work with commerce
• Trucks along Grand Central Parkway bring fumes
• Ditmars Boulevard is congested because trucks are coming off of the Grand Central
Parkway
• Windows can’t be opened because of the truck fumes
• Trees help filter pollution
• Trucks take up parking spaces and double parking results (Brother Roofing)
• Put a double red light at 34th Street (the street backs up)
• Pollution is huge problem
• Need traffic controls
• Truck traffic causes confusion and traffic
• Daycare center and school children cross road to get to the promenade without proper
safety controls in place
• Truck emissions cause chronic illness, such as emphysema
• Nothing has been done about the pollution
• Pollution settles on parked cars
Speaker # 17
• Resident of Southeast Queens
• People in her area were unaware of the survey
• Inundated with trucks
• Tractor trailers are a major issue
• Tractor trailers downshift all day
• Area is zoned incorrectly (R4 next to a M1)
• Transfer station in the area is the producer of much of the truck traffic
• The transfer station is within 100 feet of a residential area and park
• Trucks use roads all hours
• Truck traffic in residential areas and near parks
• Trucks idle and emit diesel fuel
• Trucks are too large
• Liberty Avenue is a major route because it leads directly to the Van Wyck Expressway
• Trucks block bus stops on Liberty Avenue
• There is a 10:1 ratio of tractor trailers to MTA buses in the area
• Trucks are a menace
Speaker # 18
• 165th, 166th, 116th, and 115th Streets, as well as Francis Lewis Boulevard are heavily utilized
by trucks
• Truck routes are near schools (shouldn’t be near the schools)
• Trucks from JFK Airport use 99th Avenue as a shortcut to 195th Street because it is the
shortest route between Jamaica Avenue and Hillside Avenue
• Trucks use residential streets illegally:
o Overnight parking, including weekends on Francis Lewis Boulevard under the
LIRR, between Jamaica and 99th Avenues
o Use of 205th Place from 99th to Hollis Avenues
o Illegal removal of posted overweight sign on 104th Avenue west of Francis Lewis
Boulevard
o Erosion of 99th Avenue at 205th Place because of truck use
o Use of trucks on 198th Street and Linden Boulevard to 122nd Avenue at Springfield
Boulevard, bypassing Francis Lewis and Farmers Boulevard
o Use of 118th and 119th Avenues from Springfield Boulevard to Liberty Avenue
o Henderson Avenue from Farmers Boulevard / 99th Avenue to 183rd and Liberty
Avenues by concrete trucks
o Brinkerhoff Avenue at Firwood Place: delivery trucks from C-Town at Hilburn
Avenue would use Firwood Place northbound and right on Brinkerhoff Avenue to
Farmers Boulevard; however, in doing so, they ride up on the mall destroying it and
the curb; Recommend leaving C-Town west on Hilburn Avenue to Dunkirk Street,
north on Dunkirk Street to Liberty Avenue