Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Belle Harbor (Rockaway) Gets Street Sign Facelift

City Agrees to Replace Damaged, Missing Traffic Signs in Rockaways

Weiner Helps Restore 55 Worn, Missing Parking Signs in Belle Harbor - Paves Way to Improve Traffic Safety Throughout Community


Click on photo to enlarge...

Rep. Weiner (D-Brooklyn and Queens), along with Councilman Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), President of the Belle Harbor Owners Association Barbara Larkin, resident John Signorelli, and Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Queens) announced that the DOT will replace Belle Harbor's 55 missing, damaged traffic signs.


Representative Anthony D. Weiner (D–Brooklyn and Queens), Co-Chair of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Caucus of the Middle Class, today announced new efforts by the City to replace missing and damaged traffic signs across Belle Harbor. The effort will greatly improve traffic safety in the Rockaways, Weiner said.

Starting in 2006, Belle Harbor resident John Signorelli began documenting parking signs that were covered in graffiti, faded, damaged or missing from Rockaway Boulevard to Beach Channel Drive. Signorelli mapped the findings block by block and sheet by sheet. He then began urging local officials to fix or replace the identified worn signs.

In November 2007, the DOT and city officials received Mr. Signorelli’s letter, but offered no response. Mr. Signorelli then turned to Rep. Weiner, who immediately petitioned for the DOT to replace the traffic signs in the targeted areas. Rep. Weiner’s letter to the DOT is attached.

After months of pressure by Rep. Weiner and community leaders, the DOT finally inspected the identified signs. This month they agreed to replace 55 damaged parking signs by October 1, 2008.

Rep. Weiner said, “With children playing in the street, traffic safety is a serious issue that should not be understated. Today is a major victory for the community of Belle Harbor.”

Mr. Signorelli said, “The Belle Harbor Community and I want to thank Congressman Anthony Weiner for his

valuable assistance in keeping our community safe. This is a win-win for everyone.”