Queens road undergoes transformation, switching to one-way traffic for motorists; additional bike lanes to be incorporated

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced changes to Woodside Avenue in Queens, with the redesign set to take place from Roosevelt Avenue to Broadway in East Elmhurst. The redesign is part of the DOT's five-year master plan, which was created in response to Local Law 195 of 2019.

The DOT's five-year master plan mandates the implementation of 50 miles of protected bike lanes per year, and the Woodside Avenue redesign will be no exception. The DOT plans to add bike lanes in both directions on Woodside Avenue as part of the redesign. Both conventional and shared bike lanes are part of the plan.

The traffic-pattern changes and "safety improvements" along the approximately two-mile stretch will make Woodside Avenue one-way, eastbound, from 76th Street to Broadway. The DOT's Streets Plan features parking-protected curbside bike lanes and pedestrian islands on Queens Boulevard, and similar features are expected on Woodside Avenue.

The DOT's Streets Plan also includes changes to Queens Boulevard from Skillman Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue. The DOT's Woodside Avenue redesign builds on the agency's Woodside Avenue Open Street. In 2024, the DOT added 29.3 miles of protected bike lanes, the third highest mileage number in the city's history.

The planned safety improvements for the bike path on Woodside Avenue in East Elmhurst are scheduled to be implemented in Early 2026 along the section between 94th Street and 108th Street. The DOT's announcement of the changes to Woodside Avenue was made in August.

The work on the Woodside Avenue redesign has already begun, but the completion date has not yet been announced. It is not yet clear where the bike lanes will start and stop along the stretch. The DOT has not yet responded to inquiries about how the redesign will impact staff and patients at Elmhurst Hospital, the borough's trauma center.

Drivers coming to and from Elmhurst Hospital may be impacted by the redesign, as access to westbound Woodside Avenue will likely be restricted until 76th Street. The DOT also plans to alleviate congestion in the area through changes to traffic signal timing.

The DOT's Woodside Avenue redesign plan includes expanded sidewalks and public spaces, aiming to reduce contact with vehicular traffic. The redesign of Woodside Avenue is part of the DOT's broader efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and promote sustainable, active transportation options in New York City.