Avella Obtains Left Turn Signal at Union & Utopia Intersection

Queens, NY – Today, Senator Avella announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has finally answered requests for a left turn signal at Utopia Parkway when turning onto Union Turnpike.

DOT did not give a time frame for when the dual left turn signals will be installed. Dual left turn signals already exist at Union Turnpike when turning onto Utopia Parkway.

Since 2016, Senator Avella has contacted DOT on behalf of Fresh Meadows residents multiple times asking that a left turn signal be installed at this extremely busy intersection. In August, DOT officials informed Senator Avella that they were conducting a traffic study at this location.

In DOT’s correspondence to Senator Avella they cited “peak hour turning movements, crash experience, and the availability of gaps in the opposing traffic stream” as their rationale for installing dual left turn signals for Utopia Parkway.

“I was happy to hear that DOT has finally agreed with the rest of Queens that this is a highly trafficked intersection and in need of additional traffic controls. As someone who has personally experienced the difficulties posed to pedestrians and motorists at this intersection, I can say without a doubt that a left turn signal was needed at this location. I am sure that when this signal is finally installed it will ease the worries of pedestrians and motorists alike,” said Senator Tony Avella.