Springfield Boulevard
Springfield Boulevard is a major north/south roadway that runs through the eastern section of Queens, New York. It goes from Northern Boulevard in Bayside, to 147th Ave in Springfield Gardens. Springfield Boulevard runs through Bayside, Oakland Gardens, Queens Village, Cambria Heights, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens and along the eastern border of St. Albans. The name "Springfield," derived from the Springfield Armory, is one of several firearms-oriented street names in the area. This is the result of the National Rifle Range having been situated on the grounds of what is now Creedmoor State Hospital during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The north end of Springfield Boulevard is a simple two-way two lane street in southeastern Bayside. It gradually gets wider as it heads towards Springfield Gardens. At some time the city widened Springfield Boulevard in Queens Village from 112th Ave to Jamaica Avenue, in character with its name as a "Boulevard". In Springfield Gardens [for which Springfield Boulevard was named after], it is a major median divided 4-6 lane wide boulevard. The Q27, Q77, and Q88 bus lines all serve Springfield Boulevard.
Springfield Boulevard intersects with many major roads including Northern Boulevard, Union Turnpike, Hillside Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, Hempstead Avenue, Linden Boulevard, Francis Lewis Boulevard and Merrick Boulevard. At its southern end, Springfield Boulevard once continued past 147 Avenue to Rockaway Boulevard; however, frequent flooding led to that stretch being closed. The land has been developed into a distribution center.
Another interesting fact are the detours in those areas. Hollis Avenue takes you from Springfield Blvd. in Queens Village to Jamaica Avenue in Hollis. Braddock Ave takes you from the Springfield Boulevard/Hillside Ave. intersection to Bellerose, where Jamaica Avenue turns in to Jericho Turnpike. In Cambria Heights, Colfax Street takes you from Springfield Boulevard to Hollis Avenue. You could also take Linden Boulevard from Springfield Boulevard to Rockaway Boulevard. Murdock Avenue connects Springfield Boulevard to Francis Lewis Boulevard, and Farmers Boulevard. Springfield Boulevard also crosses over many highways in Queens, such as the Long Island Expressway(Exit 29), Grand Central Parkway (via service roads), and the Belt Parkway(Exit 22).
Many high schools are also located near Springfield Boulevard, including Springfield Gardens High School, Martin Van Buren High School, and Benjamin Cardozo High School. Queensborough Community College is also located fairly close to Springfield Boulevard in Bayside.
External links
- Springfield Boulevard (Link broken as of 11/19/2001.)