NY1: Sen. Peralta Asks DOT to Redesign Jackson Heights Intersection

This is the NY1 report regarding the press conference on road safety in Jackson Heights. 

NY1: A local politician is asking the Department of Transportation to redesign a Jackson Heights intersection in the hopes a change will reduce pedestrian related accidents.

State Senator Jose Peralta joined community advocates on Friday to demand that the DOT redesign the intersection at 90th Street and Roosevelt Avenue.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation says they're aware of the Senator's request adding that their signals division is currently reviewing the location.

"DOT upgraded over the summer two No Left Turn and two All Traffic with Right Arrow signs at the location with new high reflective grade material," a DOT spokesperson said.

Right now, it is illegal to make a left hand turn at the intersection, but the Senator says more needs to be done.

"Right now all we have is a sign that says no left turns and usually because of the truck delievries, big trucks park right by here, those signs are blocked, so people even though they're there they make a left anyway," Peralta said.

Peralta says 2 pedestrians have died at the intersection in the last 2 years and another 10 people have been injured in accidents there.

The Department of Transportation says their records show one pedestrian fatality and seven pedestrian injuries in the last 6 years.