The New York City Department of Transportation has announced a series of short-term projects for the Cobble Hill/Brooklyn Heights portion of the Atlantic Avenue corridor. The safety enhancements include 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.
Mid-Block Crossings
Mid-block crossings are dedicated spaces for pedestrians to cross the street without having to wait at the nearest intersection. 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:
- Between Clinton Street and Court Street, which was recently approved and is being scheduled for implementation.
- Between Henry Street and Clinton Street, which will be further analyzed for feasibility this summer.
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:
- Shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians by building two new concrete pedestrian islands.
- Fully separating crossing pedestrians from turning traffic by converting the existing uncontrolled vehicular slip lane from Atlantic Avenue to Columbia Street into a signalized lane.
- Adding the southbound right turn from Furman Street to Atlantic Avenue to the signal phasing.
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.
Photo: New vehicle travel lane markings at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street
