Improved Safety at Pier 6 Entrance

Ellen Whelan-Wuest, the soon-to-be-departing director of Senator Daniel Squadron's Brooklyn office, sends word of some good news:

After extensive conversations with the New York City Department of Transportation about the lack of safe crossings and traffic controls at the new Pier 6 entrance of Brooklyn Bridge Park on Atlantic Avenue, Senator Squadron received word from DOT today that they have heard his and our constituents' cries for improved safety. DOT outline the following steps they are taking to make these intersections safer for all Park visitors and pedestrians:

• "Stop Here on Red" sign on Atlantic Avenue at the eastbound approach to the on-ramp, to communicate to drivers that they do not have a free left turn when the light ahead is red and the pedestrian indication across the ramp is WALK.
• "Turning Vehicles Yield to Pedestrians" sign on Atlantic Avenue at the westbound approach to the on-ramp, to emphasize to drivers that they must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Conducting a traffic study to determine if further signal or regulation changes that will reduce vehicle-pedestrian conflicts at this location are feasible. Additional recommendations will be share publicly in near future.
• Evaluating medium term opportunities for more significant reconfigurations to the street network around Pier 6 that will assist with bicycle and pedestrian park access, including the intersection of Columbia Street and Atlantic Avenue, and Atlantic Avenue west of Columbia Street.

We wanted to make sure that everyone knows right away about DOT's response to advocacy from Senator Squadron and members of the community. Senator Squadron will, of course, continue his work to improve pedestrian safety around Pier 6 and in the community. If you have any questions or concerns, please to not hesitate to contact me.

Senator Squadron's Brooklyn office, where you can still catch Ellen for a short while longer, is reachable at (718) 802-3818.