The next phase of Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway construction on Flushing Avenue will build a raised two-way bikeway and planted buffers alongside the Brooklyn Navy Yard, creating a safer, more appealing environment on what has already become a much-used bike route. Here's a look at the recently unveiled design from NYC DOT, the Department of Design and Construction, and project consultant Parsons.
As the city builds out the permanent greenway, reconstructing Flushing Avenue is one of the most important capital projects -- a mile-long link connecting the Manhattan Bridge approach, DUMBO, and Farragut Houses to Williamsburg Street West, Kent Avenue, and Williamsburg/Greenpoint. The major upgrade entails converting the existing westbound curbside bike lane into a two-way bikeway at sidewalk grade, separated from motor traffic by a three-foot, planted cobblestone buffer. Another planting strip will separate the bikeway from the pedestrian path. For pedestrians, adding this bikeway will narrow crossing distances substantially -- about 20 percent.
The city has made a few design adjustments since presenting the outline of this plan in 2010. One is to move the bikeway so it doesn't directly abut the Navy Yard, which means people won't have to bike right next to a wall or fence. The bus stops along the north side of Flushing will function as shared space, where the bikeway points cyclists to curve around waiting bus passengers (see the background of the top rendering to get a sense of this). The road markings will also maintain an eastbound, painted bike lane, which will be a more convenient option for cyclists continuing east on Flushing past the Navy Yard and the BQE, and may help relieve future crowding on the greenway segment.
In a new arrangement, DOT will seek a maintenance partner to care for the plantings and upkeep of the greenway. The Brooklyn Greenway Initiative -- the grassroots advocacy organization that has propelled the vision for a continuous waterfront greenway -- has indicated that it intends to take on maintenance and adopt the entire greenway.
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.
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