Millions of New Yorkers depend on the public transportation system for their work and daily affairs. For this reason, the municipal administration has launched a series of initiatives designed to better respond to the mobility needs, especially of vulnerable communities, as well as redesigns of streets and intersections to increase road safety for pedestrians. , cyclists and drivers themselves.
In this context, the completion of the redesign of Livingston Street in Brooklyn was announced a few days ago, a project that runs from Boerum Place to Flatbush Avenue and offers approximately one mile of bus lanes, most of which are physically protected, and seven intersection redesigns to make bus service faster and more reliable for the 50,000 passengers who use them daily, while greatly improving traffic safety in a corridor congested by illegal parking.
The commissioner of the municipal Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), Ydanis Rodríguez, highlighted that the redesign of Livingston Street has transformed what was a congested corridor with double parking into exclusive and fully protected two-way lanes for buses to take passengers to their destination. faster destination, while preserving access and improving security for everyone.
“Bus passengers deserve fast, reliable service so they can spend less time in transit and more time with family and friends, or on important appointments,” said Rodríguez.
The redesigned corridor serves four bus routes – B41, B45, B67 and B103 – and the innovative project will allow its users to better connect with seven metro lines (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C and G), as well as major destinations, including Fulton Mall and Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Richard Davey, president of NYC Transit, reiterated their commitment to the millions of New Yorkers who depend on buses, to improve service reliability and help passengers reach their destinations faster and safer.
“Exclusive lanes are the most effective way to speed up buses,” Davey said. “With our continued deployment of expanded automated camera monitoring, customers can expect even faster bus rides.”
With the installation of new concrete bus boarding islands and plastic barriers, buses are physically protected from traffic. NYC DOT will also work with the MTA to expand automated enforcement along the corridor.
These improvements not only benefit transportation users, but to facilitate commercial deliveries in the area, NYC DOT implemented new charging regulations, including commercial meters, to better manage deliveries and increase parking availability for drivers.
Riders on four bus lines will benefit.Credit: NYC DOT | Courtesy
Priority area
Livingston Street is located in a Vision Zero Priority Area, defined as places around the city with a high density of traffic deaths and serious injuries. Between 2016 and 2020, 13 traffic deaths or serious injuries were recorded on this stretch of Livingston Street, with the most common pedestrian injury occurring when vehicles swerved and struck pedestrians crossing at the traffic light’s turn.
To better protect pedestrians, the Department of Transportation redesigned seven intersections along the corridor with newly painted pedestrian sidewalk extensions or concrete pedestrian islands. The new pedestrian space significantly reduces the distance between pedestrian crossings.
“The redesign of Livingston Street will allow tens of thousands of bus riders to more reliably get to work, school and anywhere else they need to go,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “It will also make the street safer and more accessible for everyone.”
‘Excellent news’ for users
Elected officials and transportation user advocates issued positive comments about the new redesigned lane.
Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon called it excellent news for Brooklyn transit riders.
“Many of us use these buses every day and now we will have faster, more reliable and safer trips,” he said.
For his part, Andrew Albert, president of the New York City Transit Riders Council and member of the MTA Board, stressed that protected bus lanes are essential to accelerate bus service in the five boroughs.
“50,000 bus passengers in downtown Brooklyn, one of the most congested areas in New York, will benefit from faster trips and safer boarding thanks to new concrete islands and plastic barriers that will keep cars and trucks out.” of the bus lane on Livingston Street,” he said.
Eric McClure, executive director of StreetsPAC, said rearranging the street to keep private and commercial vehicles out of the newly protected bus lanes “while also providing the dedicated space needed for commercial loading and unloading will keep both customers happy.” travelers as well as companies.”
The executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Renae Reynolds, acknowledged that the changes that the NYC DOT has made on Livingston St., an area that – she said – “is notoriously congested and where buses have historically moved at a slow pace. “turtle” will increase bus speeds and pedestrian safety, and reduce rampant illegal lane blocking by cars
“Downtown Brooklyn is filled with bus routes that carry riders who rely on public transportation, including many students and low-income riders,” he added.
In 2022, the subway had a daily ridership of approximately 3.2 million and the bus system had a daily ridership of 1.4 million, corresponding to 58% and 63%, respectively, of pre-pandemic usage levels. according to data from the MTA on its website.
2024-01-15 19:21:43
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