NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced a series of short-term projects for the western portion of the Atlantic Avenue corridor in Brooklyn. The suite of safety enhancements includes expanded pedestrian space, upgraded traffic signals, and new vehicle travel lane markings to reduce turn conflicts at Court Street; two new concrete pedestrian islands to be constructed at Columbia Street; new mid-block crosswalks between Court Street and Clinton Street and Henry Street and Clinton Street; and curb enhancements such as loading zones to be potentially implemented along the corridor in consultation with the community. These efforts are part of NYC DOT’s larger work to enhance safety along Atlantic Avenue.
“Atlantic Avenue serves as a critical regional connector and commercial corridor for New Yorkers. Through these upgrades, we will improve safety for everyone who uses this major street, helping to ease congestion and spur economic growth,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “We appreciate the many elected officials and local stakeholders who advocated for improvements along Atlantic and for their support.”
“Atlantic Avenue is a vital transportation artery for Brooklyn, and these critical upgrades will make it significantly easier to walk the avenue, support economic development, and enhance safety by better managing traffic through the corridor,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We thank all of the elected officials and community stakeholders for their support and look forward to continue exploring safety improvements along the entire corridor.”
Mid-Block Crossings
Mid-block crossings are dedicated spaces for pedestrians to cross the street without having to wait at the nearest intersection, thus creating a more direct and efficient route. Installation includes a painted crosswalk and new traffic signal. Earlier this year, NYC DOT installed three mid-block crossings along Atlantic Avenue. Building on the success of this work, the agency is studying additional locations for this treatment, including:
Court Street and Atlantic Avenue Signal Adjustments
NYC DOT will update vehicle travel lane marking, implement signal changes, and expand pedestrian space at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue. The split phase traffic signal will allow a green phase for vehicles traveling in one direction, proceeded by a green phase for all vehicles traveling the opposite direction. Vehicle travel lanes will be reassigned to support these signal changes and a painted curb extension will be added for additional pedestrian space. Installation of the traffic signal hardware and timing changes are already in progress with markings and other vertical elements like rubber speed humps and delineators to be implemented later this month.
Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue Street Improvement Project
The agency aims to begin implementation this year for an intersection project that would enhance safety by shortening crossing distance for pedestrians accessing Brooklyn Bridge Park through the separation of vehicle movements from pedestrian movements. These specific upgrades include:
Atlantic Avenue Curb Enhancements
NYC DOT is refining an Atlantic Avenue Curb Access plan that seeks to reduce double parking by vehicles, conflicts between street users, and alleviate traffic congestion. Recommendations are based on extensive community input and captured data along the corridor. Potential solutions are being discussed across the corridor in collaboration with community stakeholders, with a focus on the possible addition of loading zones.
These efforts are part of the larger work NYC DOT is undergoing to enhance safety along Atlantic Avenue, a Vision Zero Great Street and Priority Corridor. NYC DOT and DDC are currently delivering capital upgrades along the eastern portion of the corridor in Brooklyn through the Atlantic Avenue Great Street project. NYC DOT/DDC completed the first phase of this capital work in 2020, between Pennsylvania Avenue and Logan Street. Since the completion, data shows a 39 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries and 14 percent reduction in cyclist injuries. The agencies broke ground on the second phase in 2022. This work will bring raised, planted medians; left turn bays and signals; and a grade-separated bike lane in each direction from Logan Street to Rockaway Boulevard.
“We need all hands on deck to curb traffic violence on Atlantic Avenue,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thank you to all the elected officials, community groups, and local residents and families that helped bring attention to the dangers on Atlantic Avenue and the safety measures within reach. I’m grateful to NYC DOT for partnering with our community to begin the project of bringing both short- and long-term safety improvements to Atlantic Avenue, and I look forward to continuing to build on this progress.”
“Since assuming office, I have stood alongside my colleagues and community members voicing our concerns about the dangerous conditions for pedestrians along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn,” said Congressmember Dan Goldman. “I am thrilled to hear that NYC DOT is continuing to transform this corridor in order to maintain safe streets for residents and all those who frequent the area. NYC DOT has been implementing safety enhancements citywide, and now the Atlantic Avenue strip will join that list.”
“Atlantic Avenue is a community hub full of restaurants, bars and other great local businesses, but for too long, the roadway has been designed to prioritize cars speeding through, not creating a place for neighbors and visitors to safely be,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “This new slate of improvements represents a crucial step toward creating the safe, vibrant Atlantic Avenue we all want and deserve, where pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and bus riders can get around—and stick around—without putting their lives at risk. Thank you to the Department of Transportation for pushing forward with this important work.”
“The status quo on Atlantic Avenue is not tenable, and hasn't been for years. It's been the site of far too many traffic crashes and fatalities because it's flat, wide, and the blocks are long, making it too easy to speed,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. “I applaud NYC DOT for listening to the community, which has long called for traffic calming measures and implementing safety enhancements to ensure that everyone can navigate Atlantic Avenue safely. I look forward to seeing these new improvements as we work towards safer streets for all.”
“Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. Making Atlantic Avenue safer has been one of my top priorities as a council member and I'm excited by the progress we are marking in partnership with the Department of Transportation to expand more mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community,” said Councilmember Lincoln Restler.
“I’m grateful to the DOT for listening to the longstanding calls from community members, advocates, and electeds to meaningfully address street safety and put an end to the senseless traffic violence along Atlantic Avenue,” said Councilmember Shahana Hanif. “Today’s announcement is much-awaited and a strong start to ensuring that our city’s street infrastructure prioritizes pedestrian safety and accommodates the complex and shifting demands for use of our streets. I commend the DOT for delivering for our community, and look forward to continued partnership to improve the corridor and ensure that these much-needed safety improvements are swiftly implemented.”
“We’re thrilled to hear that DOT will be making improvements at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Columbia Street. As a major entry point to Brooklyn Bridge Park, these improvements are critical and will have a major impact on pedestrian and park safety,” said Eric Landau, president of Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation.
“Atlantic Avenue is one of Brooklyn’s busiest streets, and while its shops, restaurants, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and other amenities are a destination for many, it also presents unacceptable danger to those merely seeking to navigate it. New mid-block crossings, signal adjustments, and pedestrian islands will greatly enhance safety, and loading zones will improve travel times while also boosting local businesses. We’re grateful to NYC DOT for undertaking these important and very much needed safety measures,” said Eric McClure, chair, Brooklyn Community Board 6.
“Brooklyn Community Board 2 applauds this initiative to improve conditions on the western terminus of Atlantic Ave. The significant growth in Downtown Brooklyn over the last 20 years has introduced parallel challenges, including increasing complexity and deterioration of this major transit corridor. This suite of safety improvements represents thoughtful compromises to protect the thousands of residents and workers that travel through and around our Community District daily,” said Lenue H. Singletary III, board chair, Brooklyn Community Board 2.
“The Atlantic Avenue BID has long advocated for a safer pedestrian experience along our commercial corridor, and we are elated to welcome these safety improvements. As a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, these interventions are essential and past due. We thank NYC DOT, our elected officials, and community organizations for a united front and swift action to make Atlantic Avenue a better place to live, shop, dine, and play,” said Kelly Carroll, executive director, Atlantic Avenue BID.
“Atlantic Avenue is a historic and vibrant commercial corridor, and of great importance to the surrounding neighborhoods. For far too long, crossing Atlantic Avenue on foot or navigating it by bike has felt like a risky proposition, especially for families and seniors,” said Lara Birnback, Executive Director, Brooklyn Heights Association. “The changes the city is making to calm traffic and expand pedestrian space are very welcome, and we hope will lead to a safer and less chaotic experience for everyone. We are encouraged by these efforts and will continue working with our elected officials and community partners to urge the city to push forward with additional street safety recommendations in the months and years ahead.”
“The Cobble Hill Association is grateful to DOT for taking meaningful action to enhance pedestrian safety and reduce traffic-related accidents on Atlantic Avenue. These improvements will greatly benefit our community, and we look forward to continued collaboration with DOT, our elected officials, and our fellow community organizations to create further safety improvements to ensure that our streets are safe and accessible for all,” said Amanda Sue Nichols, president of Cobble Hill Association,
“In Downtown Brooklyn, smart street design that enhances pedestrian safety is the highest priority,” said Regina Myer, president, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “These infrastructure improvements on Atlantic Avenue will not only make it safer to cross the bustling thoroughfare, but it also demonstrates a commitment to prioritizing pedestrians as we design and improve our streetscapes in Brooklyn. We thank Commissioner Rodriguez and DOT for leading the charge to build safer streets for everyone.”
