Queens Tribune

In congested parts of Queens, where people rely heavily on their feet for transportation, all that they expect is safe places to walk.

In Astoria, certain sidewalks and catch basin covers are proving to be a hazard to pedestrians. On the corner of 33rd Road and 23rd Street there is a sewer grating which is about to fall in. Above the sewer grating exists a giant hole in the sidewalk. Although it appears as though an effort was made to caution pedestrians of this hazard with the placement of a sawhorse above the hole, the sawhorse presently lies on its side, with a portion of the hole exposed, large enough for a child’s foot, or even an adult’s to fall through.

Another dangerous sewer, located at 33rd Avenue and 29th Street, is also presenting a potential threat to pedestrians. While there is no hole in the sidewalk accompanying this sewer, the portion of the catch basin which attaches to the sidewalk is jarred loose and on its side. There is approximately a six-inch gap between where the sidewalk ends and the cover now rests; again, large enough for a child’s foot to get stuck in.

According to Astoria resident Ina Brennan, she reported this problem as well as a few others to 311 as early as March, but nothing seems to have yet been done.

Brennan also reported a similar problem on the corner of Broadway and 30th Street. While this sewer appears structurally intact, Brennan reports, “the street around it turns into a pond whenever there is heavy rain.”

“In some areas the cement curbing is completely gone,” Brennan wrote to the Action Desk. “I noticed this when I visited a friend on 21st Street just off Hoyt Avenue. All the curbing is gone. I nearly tripped over the loose rubble when I got out of my car.”

The Department of Environmental Protection was contacted about these potentially hazardous issues. DEP spokesman Ian Michaels said that they received and inspected all three of these complaints.

“The catch basin at 33rd Road and 23rd Street was inspected on Feb. 5 and is in for repairs. The one at 33rd Street and 29th Street was inspected on March 9 and is also in for repairs.” He added, “They should both be repaired within the week or so.”

As far as the problem with water collecting at the intersection of Broadway and 30th Street, Michaels says that the DEP originally received a complaint in February and they cleaned and flushed out the basin there to expedite flow. They received another complaint on July 17, and it is in for repair.

“It’s not jut Astoria,” Brennan said. “I drive all over the city and have noticed this in several neighborhoods.”

Residents are urged to notify 311 with information on hazards such as these – or drop us a line at the Action Desk.