City Completes Median and Street Safety Improvements on Union Turnpike in Bayside

DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Bayside, NY – November 8, 2024) New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced today that the City has completed a capital project in Bayside, Queens which reconstructed the medians and made safety and other street improvements along Union Turnpike from 226th Street to Hollis Court Boulevard. The project, which was managed by DDC for DOT, was completed almost $400,000 under its original budget of $5.429 million as well as on schedule despite additional work that was added to the project at the request of Con Edison. Construction took two years.

before and after photos

Before and after photos show the improvements made to Union Turnpike between 226th Street and Hollis Court Boulevard, where a City project upgraded medians, curbs, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, turning lanes, street lighting and more. The area now has 46 additional trees.

“This stretch of Union Turnpike is now safer for pedestrians and motorists alike while also looking much nicer with the addition of 46 additional trees,” said DDC Commissioner Tom Foley. “Congratulations to the DDC team that completed this project under budget and on schedule even as they accommodated a request by Con Edison to add more work to the project. Without that request, the team would have been finished nine months ahead of schedule.”

The project upgraded just over two miles of curbs and 31,700 square feet of local sidewalks. Fourteen left turn lanes were upgraded; four concrete bus pads were revamped and another two unused ones were removed; 41 older pedestrian ramps were upgraded to full ADA compliance and 32 new Accessible Pedestrian Signals were added; 20 light poles were upgraded with new LED lighting; and seven old trees were removed while 53 new trees were planted for a net gain of 46 trees.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $33 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.