NYC announces pedestrian safety upgrades for Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue
New vehicle travel lane markings at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. Image courtesy of the Department of Transportation
New York City is kicking off a series of key upgrades to Atlantic Avenue to improve pedestrian safety. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Tuesday announced the start of pedestrian safety improvements along the western section of Atlantic Avenue that runs between Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill, a corridor infamous for traffic-related incidents. The enhancements include expanded pedestrian space, new mid-block crossings, upgraded traffic signals, vehicle travel lane markings, and more.
“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,” Rodriguez said. “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.”
Two new mid-block crossings located between Court Street and Clinton Street and Henry Street and Clinton Street will provide pedestrians with a safe way to cross without having to wait at the nearest intersection.
DOT will update vehicle travel lane markings, enhance signal changes, and expand pedestrian space at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue. The new split-phase traffic signal will allow a “green phase” for vehicles heading in one direction, followed by another green phase for vehicles traveling in the other direction.
Vehicle lanes will be modified to complement the signal changes, and a painted curb extension will be installed to provide more pedestrian space. Work is currently underway to install the new traffic signal hardware and timing changes. Markings and other street elements like speed bumps will be implemented later this month.
DOT is planning another intersection project this year that would improve safety at Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue by shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians walking onto the Brooklyn Bridge.
The project would shorten the distance by building two new concrete pedestrian islands, fully separating crossing pedestrians from turning traffic by converting a currently uncontrolled vehicle lane into a signalized lane, and adding a southbound right turn from Furman Street to Atlantic Avenue to the existing traffic signals.
These improvements are part of the city’s broader effort to improve safety along Atlantic Avenue, which is designated as a Vision Zero Great Street and Priority Corridor. Over the past decade, the avenue has experienced at least 40 traffic deaths, taking on the nickname “the Boulevard of Death,” a title previously held by Queens Boulevard, according to Gothamist.
“We need all hands on deck to curb traffic violence on Atlantic Avenue. 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,” Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said.
“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.”
DOT’s first phase of improvements on the eastern portion of Atlantic Avenue from Pennsylvania Avenue to Logan Street, completed in 2020, resulted in a 39 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries and a 14 percent reduction in cyclist injuries. The second phase, which began in 2022, will feature raised medians, left turn bays, signals, and grade-separated bike lanes from Logan Street to Rockaway Boulevard.
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