'Harmful' Kew Gardens School Intersection Made Safer With Stop Signs

QUEENS, NY — Hundreds of students in central Queens are now safer while crossing the street near school, a group of politicians and local leaders announced Thursday.

Bais Yaakov Academy of Queens, an all-girls K-8 school in Kew Gardens serving about 800 students, is located on 125th Street between Metropolitan and 85th avenues.

Until recently, the intersection at 125th Street and 85th Avenue only had two stop signs, making the roadway frequented by children "harmful," as one politician put it.

"Hundreds of students attend this school and they, school staff and local pedestrians should not be put in harm's way when crossing," said Congresswoman Grace Meng.

In partnership with Councilwoman Lynn Schulman and Community Board 9, though, Meng helped bring two new stop signs to the intersection, making it a four-way stop that is safer for students, she said.

Rabbi Mordechai Ginsparg, the school's principal, said the street improvements are a reflection of care for the community.

Speaking of the elected officials and leaders who worked on the project he said: "I can truly see the care and concern they have for the safety of our students, parents and faculty."