NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is proposing safety and traffic calming improvements on Driggs Avenue, and areas around McGolrick Park and P.S. 110. The proposal includes diagonal diverters at two intersections on Driggs Avenue to improve visibility, reduce cut-thru and truck traffic in the area, and redirect vehicles to away from the park, schools, and residential areas. The proposal also includes three new stop signs, two slip closures, and intersection improvements and daylighting. At the Brooklyn Community Board 1 (Bk CB1) meeting held on September 8, the plan was presented.
NYC DOT has been conducting outreach to hear what area residents and visitors think about traveling along Driggs Avenue and some of its side streets. On a Saturday in mid-April, they set up a table in McGolrick Park and received feedback that asked for: safer pedestrian and bike connections within and between neighborhoods, reduced cut-thru and truck traffic, upgraded bike facilities, safer connections to K-Bridge and around BQE, universal daylighting and traffic calming, and more public space in the neighborhood. NYC DOT acknowledged these suggestions built on several past requests from P.S. 110 and the surrounding community.
Some suggestions were for raised sidewalks and mid-block crosswalks along Monitor Street in front of P.S. 110. These have become some of the safety measures to be implemented by NYC DOT.
As I often walk along Driggs Avenue and McGolrick Park, I’ve encountered safety issues such as vehicles not observing stop signs or yielding to pedestrians, which are especially concerning near a school.
NYC DOT’s goals for the Driggs Avenue and McGolrick Park area are to: prioritize pedestrians and cyclists; limit thru and truck traffic but maintain necessary local access; enhance safety around schools, McGolrick Park, and on residential streets; and create safer, more comfortable pedestrian and cyclist connections.
One of the more dangerous areas is where vehicles exit off the BQE near Morgan Avenue. There is a slip section that allows traffic to verge onto Driggs Avenue or continue along Meeker Avenue. NYC DOT plans to address this by cutting off further access to Driggs Avenue at Sutton Street, where a diagonal diverter would force a left turn at Sutton Street. NYC DOT anticipates this will cause most vehicles to reroute to Meeker Avenue.
At the Bk CB1 meeting, several community members offered counter-arguments to the changes the NYC DOT proposed. They are concerned that such measures could slow emergency vehicles and other issues.
NYC DOT replied that when or if problems arise they can adapt the plan.
