BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6
TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING
JULY 7, 2011
ATTENDANCE:
D. ABRAHAM J. ARMER S. BURZIO
N. COX J. LEVIN T. MISKEL
M. MURPHY G. REILLY R. SLOANE
J. THOMPSON M. VERRET
EXCUSED:
W. BLUM J. COHN V. MILNE
L. NAPOLITANO R. RIGOLLI
ABSENT:
D. GIULIANO J. IGNERI H. LINK
A. MCKNIGHT R. OBERLENDER
GUESTS:
C. HRONES, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
E. GOTTLIEB J. REISCHEL R. CASIANO
C. SALGUERO S. BALBOZA
***MINUTES***
Presentation by representatives for NYC DOT on an interim proposal to improve safety and access in the vicinity of Brooklyn Bridge, Park Pier 6 at Atlantic Avenue, Columbia Street and Furman Street.
This would include more and better striping of crosswalks. Better and clearer signage at the northbound entrance to the BQE on Atlantic Avenue limiting the times of day and days of week that a right turn into the entrance can be made on a red light in order to allow pedestrian traffic to cross safely.
Re-routing the B-63 into the park on the park road; in order to turn the bus around and avoid possible conflict with pedestrians and bicyclists at the base of Atlantic Avenue and the park entrance where the bus presently makes a U-turn.
Other improvements around the entrance to the Park to better guide pedestrians more safely in get in to the park; placing the bicycle path on the street and separated from traffic by use of Jersey barriers. (Reps from the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative were present and approved the idea.) By moving, the bikes to the street pedestrians would use the west-side of Columbia Street to enter the park. Make improvements to the area in front of the container port
Much discussion about where DOT intended to place traffic signal on Columbia Street, between Congress and Atlantic Avenue. DOT favored entrance-exit of BQE on Columbia Street. Community and committee favored Congress Street.
Motion by Jerry Armer, seconded by Madelaine Murphy:
Though we thank DOT for these interim improvements, they are far from the permanent solutions needed at the Atlantic Avenue entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park.
We approve the DOT’s interim safety and access plan for the vicinity of Brooklyn Bridge Park with the following conditions:
1. In order to make the pedestrian crossing of Columbia Street safer install a traffic light on the corner of Congress and Columbia Streets, instead of having a pedestrian crossing marked at the traffic light between the southbound entrances and exits to the BQE on Columbia Street. Then re-open the truck entrance-exit to the container port at Congress Street and close the one at Atlantic Avenue making the entrance to the Park safer for all.
2. DOT and Brooklyn Bridge Park work with the community to come up with permanent pedestrian and cyclist improvements that would include not only safer, but also more a elegant solution to the problems in these areas.
3. Further, that our elected officials should provide the Capital funds necessary to fund these needed permanent safer solutions.
4. In addition, reposition the traffic signal for left-hand turns from eastbound Atlantic Avenue on to the northbound BQE entrance to prevent illegal turns on red.
Minutes submitted by Madelaine Murphy.