An 18-year old woman was killed in a car crash Friday morning 8/18 around 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of Court Street and Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Brooklyn.
“On behalf of the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Atlantic Avenue BID, the Cobble Hill Association, Boerum Hill Association and Willowtown Association, it is with a heavy heart that we address you today regarding yet another tragic and fatal crash on Atlantic Avenue, this time taking the life of an 18-year-old girl. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy.
It was only 5 months ago that we lost another young life to this dangerous roadway. Atlantic Avenue is designated as a DOT Great Street and Vision Zero Priority Corridor, yet the “priority” appears to be in name only. Despite numerous calls to action, nothing has changed. How many more lives need to be lost before the City addresses the pressing need for immediate and comprehensive safety measures along Atlantic Avenue? No one should risk their lives while navigating our neighborhood streets, and it is clear that Atlantic Avenue is dangerous for all users. Although still under investigation, we do know that speeding was an essential component of this deadly crash. DOT knows how to design safe streets, yet Atlantic Avenue’s design remains lethal for drivers and pedestrians.
Yet again, we implore the Department of Transportation to prioritize the implementation of safety measures and direct enforcement that can help prevent such heart-wrenching accidents in the future. Along with our elected officials, we will continue to advocate for Atlantic Avenue safety improvements and will keep you updated on ways you can help.”
Atlantic Avenue BID Recommendations:
1. Create a boulevard style corridor.
2. Create a range of traffic calming treatments that are self-enforcing, increase safety for pedestrians, and eliminate
speeding and reduce congestion.
3. A commitment to lighting upgrades for the street and sidewalks to increase visibility and improve perceptions of safety.
The BID district suffers from inadequate and inconsistent lighting which makes the area feel unsafe and ill-planned.
Lighting, other than traffic safety, is our largest stakeholder complaint.
4. Close the Atlantic Avenue eastbound ramp to the BQE.
This ramp is documented as one of the worst designed ramps in NYC. Closing the ramp would eliminate related crashes
and overturned trucks, reduce demand on the triple cantilever, and help reduce demand on Atlantic Avenue and Hicks
Street, and create a safer pedestrian connection between Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the NYC Ferry at
Pier 6.
5. Enhancing the three Atlantic Avenue gateways at the BQE, 4th Avenue, and Boerum Place. Landscaping, lighting,
signage, and art will communicate to motorists that they are entering a shared space with pedestrians.
6. Redesigning the Atlantic Avenue Interchange, part of the BQE Central, Zone 5. Expanding mid-20th century
infrastructure prioritizes and incentivizes use of the BQE, rather than ameliorating the damage the BQE has created in our
community.
7. Enforcement of illegal placard parking abuse by creating no permit parking zones throughout downtown Brooklyn, and
Atlantic Avenue.
8. Enforcement of riding e-bikes, mopeds, and bikes on the sidewalks, which compromises pedestrian safety.
