Queens Borough President Donovan Richards at the unveiling of new street lighting along Merrick Boulevard (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards)
July 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards held a press conference Monday in recognition of the ongoing installation of 120 street lights that are going up along Merrick Boulevard in Laurelton.
The street lights are currently being put up along a 1.2-mile stretch of Merrick Boulevard, from Springfield Boulevard to 242nd Street.
Richards said that the boulevard has been poorly lit for years—with outdated, low-quality street lights. Parts of Merrick Boulevard, he added, have had no light fixtures at all.
“The Laurelton community has long said ‘let there be light’ along Merrick Boulevard, and thankfully the installation of these street lights is making this wish come true,” Richards said. “The new lighting along Merrick Boulevard will put an end to the poor lighting that negatively impacted pedestrian and vehicular safety along this busy roadway.”
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has already erected 81 of the total 120 street lights that will be installed. The new fixtures have energy-efficient LED bulbs that require less maintenance and conserve energy.
The street light improvements have been funded with $1.2 million in capital funding that Richards allocated for the project when he was a city council member.
Richards said the lighting will help improve the safety of pedestrians and drivers who use the busy roadway.
“Everyone who walks, bikes, drives or rides along Merrick Boulevard will have a safer, more pleasant, and literally brighter experience thanks to these new street lights,” he said.
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