Marcela Beltrán picks up her 4-year-old daughter Leia from school every day, as crossing this intersection between Northern and Juntion avenues is not easy at all.
“This road here is super dangerous due to the fact that there is no daily control first – control is only when the children leave and enter the school. There is no cycle path, which means that motorcyclists, cars and buses travel on the same lanes. Last week I was on my way to pick up my daughter from school and they almost took a cyclist away from me, ”says Beltrán.
More than 4 years ago, at this very intersection, a motorist ended the life of Geovanni Ampuero, who was only 9 years old while crossing the road with his mother. Today Raúl Ampuero, the child’s father, had to relive that fateful day.
“I am here because my son Geovanni died here in April 2018, the Northern Blvd. road is very dangerous. We have to implement bus lines, bicycle lines ”.
Both he, several activists and Congresswoman Rojas, are demanding that Mayor Eric Adams respect his proposal to carry out the works that would add 20 miles of exclusive bus lanes, until the end of the year, and that give greater safety to the residents. of this area in Queens. Specifically, those who live near this intersection.
Congresswoman Jessica Rojas agrees that the area is dangerous: “We have had 9 deaths at this intersection since 2015, including that of 9-year-old Giovanni, who was run over while crossing Northern Blvd. with his family on his way to the their school. “
We have been able to verify that the people who cross must do it at a fast pace and with a hundred eyes to avoid being overwhelmed.
Marcela Beltrán remembers her son every day: “I, my 13-year-old son, still come to see him, because they can cross very well, but the car comes to the other side and takes them away.”
From you The Department of Transportation has indicated that the city is spending $ 900 million to redesign roads and intersections and that construction will begin on Northen Blvd.
Under the law in effect since 2019, New York City must add 150 miles of dedicated bus lanes and 250 miles of bike paths within 5 years across the city. However, they only achieved a quarter of that goal.
