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

Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Coming to Life on West Street

New two-way bike lane markings at West Street and Kent Street in Greenpoint. Photos: David Meyer

New bike lane markings last year on West Street by Kent Street in Greenpoint. Photo: David Meyer

A two-way protected bike lane is taking shape on seven blocks of West Street in Greenpoint, part of a Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway segment that will eventually run 12 blocks between Eagle Street and Quay Street.

The Department of Design and Construction began work on West Street last spring, more than three years after the design was approved by the local community board. The project also includes bioswales and high-level sewers to prevent stormwater from overwhelming the sewage system underneath the street.

Con Edison is digging up the block of West Street between Java Street and India Street.
Con Ed is doing work on the block of West Street between Java Street and India Street.

Today Con Ed crews were digging up West Street between Java and India. North of that block, West Street remains unpaved and is being used partially as a construction staging zone. A spokesperson for DDC told Streetsblog that greenway work is on hold while the agency "[coordinates] with the pier property owners and Con Edison."

The West Street project is one of 23 segments that will eventually comprise the full 14-mile Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway between Greenpoint and Sunset Park.

No other segments began construction in 2016, according to Brian McCormick of the non-profit Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. But design is complete for two segments -- Flushing Avenue along the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Hamilton Avenue in Sunset Park -- that are now ready for construction.

DDC says the Flushing Avenue segment will start construction this month. The design was approved by Brooklyn CB 2 in 2013, then was delayed while National Grid relocated a gas main that interfered with construction.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Queens Judge Orders City to Rip Up Half-Installed Astoria Bike Lane

The unprecedented ruling flies in the face of reams of data demonstrating the safety benefits of protected bike lanes.

December 5, 2025

Unions and Environmental Groups Push Council To Pass Delivery Protection Act

Intro 1396 would force Amazon and other delivery companies that use last-mile warehouses to ditch the sub-contracting model and directly hire their workers.

December 5, 2025

Watchdog Group Wants Hochul to Veto Bus Lane Parking Mulligan

Reinvent Albany thinks a carve-out for bus lane parkers in Co-op gives rule-breaking motorists a free pass.

December 5, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Visionary NYC Edition

New York City stands out among U.S. cities with "Vision Zero" programs. Plus more news.

December 5, 2025

DMV SCANDAL: New York Faces Uphill Battle Getting Back Fraudulently Obtained Licenses

A longtime NYC driving teacher dishes on a pair of shocking scandals at the New York State DMV.

December 4, 2025

State DOT Hurts Cyclists in Rt. 9 Draft Plan: Advocates

The plan to redesign the spine of the river towns misses opportunities to equalize road access and safety for all travelers, according to advocates

December 4, 2025
See all posts