By Daniel Massey
After repeated efforts by Forest Hills residents for several years to have four-way stop signs installed at the intersection of Juno Street and 68th Avenue, the actions of a well-known father and son team finally got the job done.
On July 20, city Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who is a Democratic mayoral candidate and lives a block from the intersection, witnessed a traffic accident in front of his house involving an overturned car. He called his son, state Sen. Daniel Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), and told him to do something to make the intersection safer, according to the younger Hevesi.
Daniel Hevesi then brought the accident to the attention of city Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall, who approved the posting of the stop signs in an announcement Friday.
According to DOT spokesman Keith Kalb, the crash Hevesi saw was the sixth preventable accident at the same intersection not from a school since January 2000.
Studies by the DOT previously concluded the four-way stop was not needed because of insufficient traffic volume. The agency last turned down signs at the intersection in June 2000.
According to Kald, the latest accident proved the intersection was dangerous enough to warrant the new safety measure.
But approval would not have taken place so swiftly without the senator''s intervention. “Sen. Hevesi''s strong recommendation was probably the main reason it got approved,” said Joseph Hennessy, chairman of Community Board 6.
“The DOT is good, but they''re not that good,” said the younger Hevesi. “Our bringing the accident to their attention definitely led to the stop sign. There''s no question about it.”
The state senator said the community has known the intersection was dangerous for years. “A speed bump was put in. It helped, but did not do the trick,” he said.
Weinshall said, “I know there have been community concerns about this intersection and we appreciate the community''s input.”
Despite consistent pressure applied by Forest Hills residents, it took a sixth accident, a well-known bystander and some political clout on the part of his son to win approval for the four-way stop signs. The stop controls should be in place by the end of August.
“We''re thrilled that the stop sign is going in,” said the junior Hevesi. “It is without doubt going to prevent accidents in the future.”
Reach reporter Daniel Massey by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 155.
