Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Brooklyn

Why Wasn’t Traffic-Calming Built on Third Avenue?

DOT has gotten back to me with some answers.  

As Streetsblog reported Monday, New York City's Department of Transportation failed to follow through
on a 2004 pledge to build potentially life-saving pedestrian safety
improvements along the Third Avenue corridor where a 4-year-old boy was
run over and killed last Tuesday.

Streetsblog asked DOT why the pedestrian safety recommendations were never implemented despite a March 19, 2004 announcement by DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall
that DOT would make an "immediate review" of the Third Avenue corridor
and accelerate "$4 million in funding for capital improvements
associated with the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming... from Fiscal
Year 2009 to Fiscal Year 2006."

Here is a reply, from the agency's press office:

DOT has acted on many of the recommendations of the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Report since it was published in June 2004 and improved conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. On several streets in Downtown Brooklyn, DOT has reduced the number of travel lanes, added medians and left turn bays, adjusted signal timings, converted one-ways to two-ways and added parking, all to slow vehicles down and discourage through traffic. Miles of bike lanes have been installed, including a physically separated path on Tillary Street. Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) were installed at 9 locations and LPI studies will begin shortly at 3 more intersections.

Capital work was delayed because the construction was more complicated than initially anticipated. Preliminary plans for all 250 recommended neckdowns were completed by DOT in March 2005, but underground utilities issues led to the need for more complex designs. The project has been divided into two phases to be handled by the Department of Design and Construction. The first phase, in the capital plan for fiscal year 2008, is fully funded at $5 million and includes the construction of neckdowns at 101 locations at 43 intersections.

To put the 2008 date in perspective, the public demonstrations that led to the creation of the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Project began in 1996.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

KOMANOFF: Why I’m Not Scrutinizing Traffic Data Yet (It’s The Rebound Effect, Stupid)

Watch out, there will soon be a rebound ― a bounceback in driving when traffic moves faster, our expert says.

January 15, 2025

Exclusive: New Policy from Tisch Seeks to Reduce High-Speed NYPD Chases

The NYPD will stop initiating dangerous and often high-speed pursuits of suspects fleeing non-violent crimes and traffic infractions — a major reform that Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch hopes will reduce fatalities.

January 15, 2025

‘Trust Us’: Albany Pols Offer Only Promises To Fill Massive Hole In MTA Capital Plan

Gov. Hochul put a big "IOU" note in place of a real plan to fill the $33-billion hole in the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan.

January 15, 2025

Hochul’s ‘Heavy’ E-Bike Proposal is Light on Potential: Critics

Very few class 3 electric bikes reach 100 pounds. And they look a lot like class 2 e-bikes.

January 15, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Curb Enthusiasm Edition

New York City will launch five "microhub" delivery zones in Brooklyn and Manhattan this spring or earlier, officials said. Plus more news.

January 15, 2025
See all posts