City officials unveil a new plaza that they hope will improve safety in one section of Queens. NY1's Shannan Ferry filed the following report.
There are big changes at one of the city's most dangerous intersections.
Wyckoff Avenue between Myrtle Avenue and Gates Avenue is now closed off to cars and has been transformed into a pedestrian plaza.
"I think it's very nice," said one resident.
The plaza opened in October, but officials marked the milestone Friday. They said the goal is to make the area safer.
DOT officials said between 2010 and 2014, there were 38 serious traffic injuries at the site and three fatalities.
In addition to the plaza, they also changed Wyckoff Avenue from Myrtle Avenue to Madison Street into a one-way street.
"We were able to reduce the number of possible vehicular movements from 20 down to seven," said NYC DOT Queens Commissioner Nicole Garcia.
Judy Kottick said it's a step in the right direction. Her daughter Ella was struck by a vehicle and killed at the location almost four years ago.
"We're without our child forever, so we want to make sure it doesn't happen to anybody else," said Kottick.
DOT officials said they also installed new safety enhancements in the area, including wider crosswalks, new road markings and new signs.
But some NY1 spoke with have concerns about the changes. Mohammed Sadiki works at a fruit stand and said the steady stream of cars was good for business.
"People would pick up stuff, put in the taxi and go. So that possibility is not available now," said Sadiki.
DOT officials said the plaza did not take away any parking spaces, and they tell us they plan to work with local business owners to make any changes necessary. They also said they're working to add more amenities to the area, such as improved landscaping and streetlights.