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

Eyes on the Street: A Safer Walk to Transit By Sheepshead Bay Road

Commuters cross the newly car-free block of 15th Street on their walk to the subway entrance on Sheepshead Bay Road from the bus stop on Avenue Z. Photo: David Meyer

A DOT safety project in Sheepshead Bay is in effect after a rocky path to implementation that was slowed down by local Council Member Chaim Deutsch and Community Board 15.

The project includes two new pedestrian spaces: one on E. 15th Street linking bus riders to the subway entrance, and another claimed from a former slip lane off E. 17th Street onto Sheepshead Bay Road.

The project also speeds up the B36 bus by straightening out its route. Instead of detouring from Avenue Z to the subway station on Sheepshead Bay Road, the bus now stays on Avenue Z [PDF].

The elimination of bus turns at intersections with lots of people on foot will also reduce dangers for people on foot.

If the project had been implemented sooner, it might have saved the life of 62-year-old Eleonora Shulkin, who was struck and killed by a bus driver making a turn along the detour by the subway station last December. DOT had presented the plan several months earlier but withdrew it in response to opposition from CB 15 and Deutsch.

After Shulkin's death, CB 15 and Deutsch remained opposed, while DOT insisted on moving forward with implementation.

The same perspective before the block was pedestrianized. Image via Google Maps
The same perspective before the block was pedestrianized. Image via Google Maps
The same perspective before the block was pedestrianized. Image via Google Maps
DOT is reportedly going ahead with a plan add pedestrian space and eliminate B36 turns, including one at the intersection where an MTA bus driver killed Eleonora Shulkin last December, indicated by the red arrows. Image: DOT
The project eliminated dangerous turning movements in the B36 route. Image: DOT
The project eliminated dangerous turning movements in the B36 route. Image: DOT

East 15th Street and Avenue Z are both priority streets in the city's Brooklyn pedestrian safety action plan because of high injury rates. Between 2009 and 2013, 74 people were injured within the project area, according to city crash data.

Before the changes were implemented, Sheepshead Bay Road was a chaotic mess, with buses, pedestrians, and livery drivers all competing for road space outside the station. The rerouting of the B36 and elimination of westbound car traffic between Jerome Avenue and E. 15th Street has reduced conflicts and created safer walking conditions on the blocks by the subway.

A concrete island at the intersection of Jerome Avenue, E. 17th Street, and Sheepshead Bay Road. Photo: David Meyer
A concrete island at the intersection of Jerome Avenue, E. 17th Street, and Sheepshead Bay Road. Photo: David Meyer
A concrete island at the intersection of Jerome Avenue, E. 17th Street, and Sheepshead Bay Road. Photo: David Meyer
The same intersection, before DOT's project was implemented. Photo: Google Maps
The same intersection, before DOT's project was implemented. Photo: Google Maps
The same intersection, before DOT's project was implemented. Photo: Google Maps

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts