Squadron, Dot Commissioner Trottenberg, Elected Officials, Community Announce Completion of Safety Improvements for Delancey and Pitt

Squadron: Changes Spurred by Constituent and Community, with Support from CB3 and 7^th Precinct

Safety Measures Include New Pedestrian Island, Stop Signs, Crosswalks, And High-Visibility Markings

MANHATTAN – Today, State Senator Squadron and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, Councilmember Margaret Chin, CB3 Transportation and Public Safety Chair Karen Blatt, the 7^th Precinct, and members of the Lower East Side community announced the completion of pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Delancey and Pitt Streets.

The improvements include a new pedestrian island, new stop signs, new crosswalks, and replacing all pedestrian markings with high-visibility markings and are the result of a process initiated by constituent William Mojica, who reached out to Senator Squadron for help in addressing safety concerns at Delancey and Pitt, along with other members of the community.

"These fixes show what can happen when everyday New Yorkers are empowered to change our neighborhoods for the better," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "This was a grassroots effort: a constituent reached out to my office about an unsafe situation at Delancey and Pitt – and closely coordinating with Community Board 3, the 7th Precinct, NYCDOT and my colleagues, we made it better. I thank Commissioner Trottenberg for responding to the needs of the community by putting these changes in place, and I thank the community board, the 7th precinct and, especially, community members, including William Mojica, who spoke up on behalf of everyone who uses this intersection."

“DOT’s work on Delancey Street is a testament to how important community engagement is to Vision Zero and I thank Senator Squadron and the other leaders for bringing to the DOT’s attention the issues at the Delancey/Pitt intersection,” saidNYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “I am pleased to announce that at this intersection, we added new stop signs, a pedestrian island, and new crosswalks. We have also re-timed pedestrian crossing signals on Delancey Street to allow for New Yorkers to cross the entire width of Delancey safely. I look forward to continuing to work with local communities to make all of New York City’s streets safer.”

“These improvements represent a great step forward in the City’s commitment to street safety, and I look forward to seeing the benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike,” said Council Member Margaret Chin. “I thank Senator Squadron for his leadership, as well as DOT Commissioner Trottenberg and our local community members who worked so hard to help move this process forward. I will continue to work with my elected colleagues and the City to bring further street safety improvements to Lower Manhattan.”

“When we come together and speak or show our support as a collective community to address a common concern it's amazing what can happen,” said Lower East Side resident William Mojica.  “I could not have imagined that safety improvements would be in place so quickly at Pitt and Delancey Streets and it is now safer for pedestrians to cross this intersection. I am happy to have worked with Senator Squadron’s office, Community Board 3 and their Transportation Committee and the 7th Precinct regarding this concern. I am very thankful to our elected officials, Community Board 3, the 7th Precinct and the New York City Department of Transportation for working together to bring about this traffic safety improvement to our community. And I can't forget how the community came together to help me present this concern. Community Organizations included ALBOR, Our Lady Of Sorrows, Grand Street Settlement, Masaryk Towers Cooperators' Association advocates, and the local schools PS 20, PS 110, PS140, PS 142, and Manhattan Charter School. All of their support and encouragement helped me present our concern.”

“With these important safety improvements, we are better protecting pedestrians on a street that has seen more than its share of tragic accidents,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. “I welcome these changes and I want to thank Senator Squadron, Commissioner Trottenberg and the de Blasio administration for their dedication to making our streets and sidewalks safer.”

“The intersection at Delancey and Pitt is constantly in use,” said Congressmember Carolyn Maloney. “Cyclists, school children, church and synagogue attendees, and residents cross in large numbers daily. Thanks to the dedication of local resident William Mojica, State Senator Squadron, and Community Board 3, the Department of Transportation has made significant changes to improve safety at the intersection. With new stop signs, a pedestrian island and upgraded signage, pedestrians and bikers will now have increased protection from traffic. The safety of our fellow New Yorkers is imperative, and I am thrilled that the community and the de Blasio Administration have worked so well together to bring about these much-needed improvements.”

“By making this high traffic area safer for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists alike, these improvements will reduce the danger of accidents, potentially saving lives,” said Congressmember Nydia Velazquez.  “I’m pleased the community’s concerns were taken into account during this process and that these changes have now been completed.”

"We must protect all pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in New York City,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.“The intersection of Delancey and Pitt is a perfect example where the community came together to make its residents safer with the support of local schools, synagogues, and the Community Board. I want to thank DOT for responding to Community Board 3’s concerns and look forward to working with the community and my elected official colleagues on improving safety for all residents.”

"I want to thank the Department of Transportation (DOT) for responding to residents, community members and elected officials on our call for safety improvements on Delancey and Pitt,” said Councilmember Rosie Mendez. “DOT also instituted changes at the corner of Delancey and Clinton after tragic death of 12 year old Dashane Santana. This is a great step in initiating additional traffic calming measures along Delancey Street to be make our streets safer.”

“The safety improvement plan at Delancey is an example of how well community-based planning works,” said Gigi Li, Chair of Community Board 3. “The need for safety improvements came from the community – a number of seniors went to their local precinct, the 7th precinct, for help, and the precinct reached out to the community board – and a resident went to Senator Squadron’s office for help and he worked with the Department of Transportation to present a plan to the community board.  The plan was heard at the community board for more local input from the community and for a vote to support the plan—and today we have a much safer intersection.  Community Board 3 is very appreciative of this community partnership—the residents, Senator Squadron, the 7th Precinct, and the Department of Transportation, and thanks all who have voiced concerns and helped design and implement this plan so quickly.”

After receiving a letter from Senator Squadron and his colleagues calling attention to Mr. Mojica's concerns, DOT agreed to conduct a study to identify traffic calming measures. The DOT study led to safety recommendations for the intersection that were later approved by Community Board 3 and led to the current improvements.

Photo above. Credit: NYCDOT. From left: Karen Blatt, CB3 Transportation and Public Safety Chair; William Mojica, LES resident; NYCDOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg; State Senator Daniel Squadron; Councilmember Margaret Chin; Margarita Rosa, Grand Street Settlement Executive Director .