Hopefully, a new compromise on the McGuinness Boulevard road diet has been reached
You know what they say: you can’t please everyone.
In the time following last month’s August 10 accident on the historically dangerous street, McGuinness Boulevard, it was announced that a compromise had been made for a redesign plan. But, is it a compromise if neither side is happy?
The plans released in May by the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) for the McGuinness Blvd safety redesign were in question after Mayor Eric Adams put a pause on them in July. The NYC DOT statistics which reported three people had been killed on the road in the last 10 years propelled the need for the original proposal.
August 16, NYS Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez, released a statement that said an agreement had been reached on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign.
According to the statement, the plan includes protected bike lanes from Meeker Avenue to the Pulaski Bridge, a shorter pedestrian crossing between Meeker Avenue and Calyer Street, and one lane for vehicle travel in each direction. Additionally, there will be two peak-hour travel lanes in each direction from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Cayler Street to the Pulaski Bridge.
The Gothamist said that construction will begin in early September before school starts.
“I am relieved change is finally coming to McGuinness Blvd. The compromise solution will bring real safety improvements to this corridor that has been too dangerous for too long,” Councilmember Lincoln Restler posted on social media following the news.
However, the Keep McGuinness Moving group, who have been in opposition to the proposed redesigns, do not seem to think a compromise has been reached.
Juda S. Engelmayer, the CEO of HeraldPR, sent a statement on August 24 from Averianna Eisenbach, the creator of the Keep McGuinness Moving Instagram account.
“It is our understanding that the recent redesign concept pitched by NYC DOT has not been formally approved,” Eisenbach said. “There is a lot of work to be done to come to a compromise that works for everyone in Greenpoint and the adjoining neighborhoods.”
Eisenbach named a few of the group’s ideas to keep the road safe without shutting down lanes. Here are a few: install red light and speed cameras, curb extensions, rumble strips, speed bumps, and speed warning signs.
The Make McGuinness Safe community also seems to feel unhappy with the chosen plan and worried that change is still being stalled.
“In exchange we have a less safe, less effective plan, and one that prioritizes vehicle speed and access where they primarily conduct their business,” the group said on social media. “So be it. Let’s move ahead and make as much of McGuinness safe as we can as quickly as we can. Then we’ll fight for the rest.”
The NYC DOT shared visuals of the new plan on August 30 and announced that construction will begin before the end of the month.
The Greenline 