Manhattan Community Board 3 signed off on a package of safety improvements for deadly Delancey Street Tuesday night, according to State Senator Daniel Squadron's office. The plan, presented by NYC DOT in February, narrows the crossing distance at 14 out of 19 intersections between the Williamsburg Bridge and the Bowery, but doesn't substantially alter signal timing or traffic lanes heading to and from the bridge. It's the low-hanging fruit to prevent deaths and injuries on a street that sees a horrific amount of carnage.
Every year, dozens of pedestrians and cyclists are injured or killed on Delancey -- 134 between 2008 and 2010 alone, according to Transportation Alternatives. In the past year, drivers on Delancey took the lives of pedestrians Dashane Santana and Patricia Cuevas and cyclist Jeffrey Axelrod.
Since last September a coalition of elected officials, community groups, and advocates under the umbrella of the Delancey Street Safety Working Group have been pushing for changes. Squadron's office, which convened the working group, said work on the safety improvements is expected to begin in June.
"Our work doesn't end here," Squadron said in the statement, "and our working group will continue to study and improve Delancey and its surrounding streets to prevent future tragedies and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers."
