2012-05-23 / Features
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Van Bramer, LIC Residents Erect ‘People’s Stop Sign’
On May 18, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer joined parents, children, residents and community leaders to erect the ‘People’s Stop Sign’ at the southeast corner of 5th Street and 47th Avenue in Long Island City. The symbolic gesture was directed toward the Department of Transportation in order to highlight the potential hazards along 5th Street and the need for the city agency to introduce traffic calming measures along the busy Long Island City corridor. “The traffic along 5th Street presents numerous hazards for hundreds of pedestrians and young children who cross this street every single day on their way to work and school,” said Van Bramer. “Without stop signs along this heavily trafficked corridor the chances of an accident happening are increasing each day that the Department of Transportation does not take action. I hope our efforts to erect our own stop sign are noticed by the Department of Transportation and that they take action on this hazardous issue before it’s too late.” After numerous parents of young children from local pre-schools and P.S. 78 as well as local residents came forward to his office about this issue, Van Bramer contacted the DOT about the need to address this situation. For over a year, DOT has refused to introduce traffic calming measures along 5th Street. As the local area continues to develop, with new apartment complexes, schools, and various other amenities sprouting throughout the neighborhood, DOT’s street regulations have not kept up with the growing amount of pedestrian traffic. The councilmember will continue to push the DOT to address the situation, insisting they install stop signs along 5th Street. 
