Jason Banry, deputy bureau commissioner for the Department of Transportation in Queens, updated the borough cabinet on several streets projects that recently entered implementation and on the city’s open‑streets program.
Banry said outreach for street‑improvement projects has been more collaborative this year and listed notable upcoming projects, including work on 31st Street, Liberty Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue. He described a strengthened pre‑outreach process that requires interagency consultation (MOPD, FDNY, NYPD and others) before projects that change lane configurations proceed to public outreach. "That process has made it more transparent," Banry said, and credited Queens staff for shaping the template used citywide.
On open streets, Banry said the 2026 season kicked off with more than 150 locations and noted the department is coordinating accessibility and emergency‑service reviews in advance of the fall season. He also thanked community members for collaboration on implementation tweaks when projects go live and said DOT will continue to work with local businesses to ensure deliveries and safety during rollouts.
Why it matters: Street‑safety and traffic‑calming projects can shift traffic patterns and affect businesses and residents; the clarified pre‑outreach process is intended to surface safety and accessibility issues earlier in the planning cycle. DOT also announced a personnel transition: Banry said he will move to a new role later this summer but will remain involved during implementation.