New Stop Sign Installed At Astoria Intersection

ASTORIA, QUEENS — A four-way stop sign has been installed at 12th Street and Astoria Boulevard in an effort to make the intersection safer for students on their way to P.S. 171, officials announced Friday.

In addition to installing the stop sign, the New York City Department of Transportation designated the area as a "school safety zone" and added signage and cameras, according to a news release.

“The safety of our young people is of paramount importance to our entire community, and the recent designation of the area around PS 171 as a school safety zone, which includes signage, cameras and traffic controls, has been the result of an collaborative effort of the entire neighborhood," said Richard Khuzami, president of the Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

"Patience and perseverance have won the day, and we have created a blueprint of cooperation creating a better quality of life for us all."

The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association partnered with the Astoria Houses residents' association, the nonprofit Zone 126 and local educators in lobbying for the traffic-calming measures to protect students, particularly those coming from Astoria Houses.

City Council Member Costa Constantinides said the new signage "reflects the best of communities working together" and would help make the streets safer.