TRAFFIC NEWS and Updates

Road Work

Because of ongoing construction work at several locations throughout Queens and Brooklyn, the New York City Department of Transportation has announced numerous street closures in local neighborhoods for the upcoming week.

The announced diversions are current as of Wednesday, June 3. The DOT may shut down other roads should the need for emergency repairs arise.

Streets and highways that are affected by closures during this week include the following:

Repainting Leads To

L.I.E. Lane Closures

One lane of the Long Island Expressway in each direction under Hamilton Place in Maspeth may be closed during overnight hours, Sunday through Friday, from 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. through June as the DOT conducts bridge repainting. Two lanes may be closed at times in the same direction from 1 to 5 a.m. each night.

Repairs Shut Down

Borden Ave. Br.

The Borden Avenue Bridge over the Dutch Kills in Long Island City was recently closed and will remain shut down through July for emergency repair work.

Passenger vehicles and trucks under 12'10" in height traveling westbound on Borden Avenue must turn onto 30th Place and travel one block north to Hunters Point Avenue. The detour route then travels west on Hunters Point Avenue for 0.3 miles before turning left onto 27th Street.

Vehicles following the route then travel three blocks southward on 27th Street before rejoining Borden Avenue.

All trucks over 12'10" in height traveling westbound on Borden Avenue will follow the same detour route up to 27th Street. On 27th Street, these rigs will then travel for two blocks before turning west onto 51st Avenue and south onto 25th Street before rejoining Borden Avenue.

Commercial and passenger traffic traveling eastbound on Borden Avenue will turn north onto 25th Street and east on 51st Avenue to 27th Street. After traveling north on 27th Street, the diverted traffic will then turn east on Hunters Point Avenue for 0.2 miles before turning south onto 30th Street and back to Borden Avenue.

Pkwy. Lane Closed

For Br. Repainting

One lane of the Grand Central Parkway westbound may be closed between 31st and 48th streets in Astoria on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. through May as DOT crews perform bridge repainting. Two lanes may be closed in the same location between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Thursday through June.

Parts Of Roosevelt

Ave. Shut For Work

The eastbound lanes of Roosevelt Avenue will be closed between 126th Street and College Point Boulevard on a nightly basis from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. through June to facilitate crane operation.

Additionally, one lane in each direction will be closed between 114th and 126th streets during non-rush hour periods as MTA New York City Transit repaints the elevated 7 train structure above Roosevelt Avenue. The project is expected to continue through December.

It was noted that the road will be completely open during Mets home games.

Lanes Shut On

Rockaway Brs.

One lane in each direction of the Marine Parkway/Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge may be closed on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. to facilitate MTA construction activity.

Additionally, one lane may be closed as needed along the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge northbound from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily; and southbound from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. One lane in each direction may be closed on the crossing during weekends as the MTA conducts longterm construction.

The southbound ramps from the Cross Bay Bridge onto eastbound Beach Channel Drive and Rockaway Freeway/Shore Front Parkway will be closed through Memorial Day weekend. Motorists traveling eastbound will exit onto Beach Channel Drive through the Riis Park ramp and follow the posted detour.

Road Work Ties Up

BQE In Brooklyn

The DOT has reported scheduled lane closures along sections of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Brooklyn. The expressway will also have one of three lanes in each direction shut down between Sands Street and Flushing Avenue on Tuesdays through Fridays from 12:01 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Two of the three lanes, either east or westbound, are scheduled to be closed in the same section Tuesdays through Fridays between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

For additional closures, visit the city DOT's website at www.nyc.gov/dot or call 311. you can be anything you want or dream of being, but the richest men in the country believe that's an absolute lie," Jones said. "Realizing the power of relative skill differences and figuring out what you instinctively are skilled at, that is the greatest key to being successful both financially and psychologically."

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Summer road trips

The sputtering economy may have families avoiding buying plane or train tickets this year, but they're still taking vacations.

Summer travelers are visiting local beaches, historical sites, national parks and museums this summer, according to a recent telephone survey commissioned by Jiffy Lube International, and 71 percent of those polled said their transportation will be limited to the family car.

The auto maintenance shop operator gives these tips for getaway driving this summer:

• Clean dirty wiper blades. You can do this by simply running a paper towel over the blades to clean off dirt. Also, check for cracks and tears in the blades.

• Keep your tires pumped. Winter driving may have worn down your tire treads and pressure. To maximize gas mileage, find the proper tire pressure in your vehicle owner's manual or door jamb. Be sure to check your spare too.

• Check your air filter. An engine air filter is like your vehicle's lung. A clean air filter can increase fuel efficiency.

• Check your engine oil and filter. The oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle.

• Prepare for an emergency. If you don't have a vehicle emergency kit, create one with items such as bottled water, a flashlight, flares, duct tape, an extra cell phone, energy bars, a blanket and a tire inflator.