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Deadly Atlantic Avenue Prioritized For Vision Zero Overhaul
By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 28, 2014
Modified Mar 28, 2014
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By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 28, 2014
Modified Mar 28, 2014
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Atlantic Avenue may not be the most treacherous stretch of road in Brooklyn, but it's certainly up there. With six lanes of hard-charging traffic, the massive east-west thoroughfare is just the salve for anyone who ever finds themselves saying "Gosh, sometimes I just really miss LA."
Not for long, though. Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg announced at a town hall forum last night that Atlantic Avenue is at the top of the city's priority list to receive the Vision Zero treatment, although specifically what that entails has yet to be determined. Streetsblog reports the implementation of "arterial slow zones," and the crux of de Blasio's Vision Zero plan involves measures like lowering speed limits from 30 mph to 25 mph, as well as adding more speed and red light cameras to ticket drivers. For context, more than 1,400 pedestrians and cyclists were injured on Atlantic Avenue between 2002 and 2013.
Despite the lack of timeline or details, the announcement did prompt a chorus of praise from local politicians, as well as Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. Though White lauded Trottenberg's commitment to making the street more hospitable for pedestrians and cyclists, he also managed to include in his thanks some ideas for improvement.
“This announcement brings long-overdue attention to a corridor plagued by traffic violence and reckless driving. Transforming Atlantic Avenue into a Complete Street, with protected bike lanes, dedicated bus lanes and pedestrian safety improvements will save lives, boost local business and improve the quality of life for everyone living on or near the street."
Calls to make the street safer have been more vocal in recent years—last October, the Atlantic Avenue BID worked with local businesses to create "Bike-Friendly Business District," offering perks to customers carrying helmets. But until more structural changes are implemented, the only safe way to traverse Atlantic Avenue is in a car. There's a reason nobody walks in LA.
Tagged
atlantic avenue
transportation alternatives
vision zero
Lauren Evans
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