Sen. Gounardes Joins Elected Officials & Community Leaders to Celebrate Planned Street Safety Upgrades on Atlantic Ave

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024

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Brooklyn, NY — New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes joined Brooklyn elected officials and community leaders today to celebrate significant planned safety interventions by the NYC Department of Transportation on the western-most portion of Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue. 

Local elected officials representing the neighborhoods of Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, and Cobble Hill surrounding Atlantic Avenue have pushed for years safety improvements on the street. There have been over 500 crashes on this portion of Atlantic Avenue in the last five years. The avenue is a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, and smart street safety interventions like the ones being implemented by NYCDOT will save lives.

Following two tragic fatal crashes on this stretch of Atlantic Avenue over the past year, NYCDOT has been expanding street safety interventions on the dangerous corridor. 

Signal and marking changes have been implemented at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Court Street to create dedicated left and right turning lanes. At Atlantic Avenue  and Columbia Street, two new concrete pedestrian islands will be constructed to make it easier for pedestrians to cross and safely access Brooklyn Bridge Park. After the successful installation of mid-block crossings between Nevins Street and Smith Street this February, another mid-block crossing will be implemented between Court Street and Clinton Street, along with another potential mid-block crossing between Clinton and Henry Streets. Across the corridor, the agency will implement curb enhancements that reduce double parking and traffic congestion. Lastly, NYPD has deployed two full time Traffic Enforcement Agents to the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Hicks Street in order to help manage traffic by the congested BQE on-ramp. 

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, Council Member Shahana Hanif, Council Member Lincoln Restler and representatives from the Office of Congressman Dan Goldman joined members of Transportation Alternatives, Brooklyn Heights Association, Boerum Hill Association, Cobble Hill Association, Atlantic Avenue BID, Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, and Community Boards 2 and 6 at Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street, where 31-year-old Katherine Harris was killed in April 2023. 

Atlantic Avenue is a community hub full of restaurants, bars and other great local businesses, but for too long, the roadway has been designed to prioritize cars speeding through, not creating a place for neighbors and visitors to safely be," said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. "This new slate of improvements is a crucial step toward creating the safe, vibrant Atlantic Avenue we all want and deserve, where pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and bus riders can get around—and stick around—without putting their lives at risk. Thank you to the Department of Transportation for pushing forward with this important work."

“Atlantic Ave has for too long been defined by danger and death,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thanks to Council Member Lincoln Restler, a coalition of electeds, and an outpouring of community advocacy, that’s finally beginning to change. The significant safety upgrades that DOT is making will begin to rebuild this street around the safety of our people. I am so grateful to all who held strong in this fight.”

"Since assuming office, I have stood alongside my colleagues and community members voicing our concerns about the dangerous conditions for pedestrians along Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn," said Congressman Dan Goldman. "I am thrilled to hear that NYC DOT is continuing to transform this corridor in order to maintain safe streets for residents and all those who frequent the area. NYC DOT has been implementing safety enhancements citywide, and now the Atlantic Avenue strip will join that list.”

“For years, the community and local elected officials have advocated for traffic calming and street safety measures to ensure everyone can navigate Atlantic Avenue safely. I'm so glad that DOT finally listened to our pleas and made significant improvements to this dangerous stretch of the roadway," said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon. “It’s been over a year since a speeding drunk driver tragically killed Katherine Harris, yet we continue to see preventable pedestrian and cyclist deaths and serious injuries. These street safety improvements couldn't come fast enough and will make a real difference in the lives of the people in this area." 

“Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “Making Atlantic Avenue safer has been one of my top priorities as a Council Member and I'm excited by the progress our community is making in partnership with the Department of Transportation to expand more mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.”

“Today’s announcement marks a long-anticipated and crucial step towards ensuring that our city’s street infrastructure prioritizes pedestrian safety while adapting to the diverse and evolving demands placed on our streets,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “I commend the DOT for their commitment to our community and look forward to continuing our collaboration to improve the corridor and expedite the implementation of these essential safety measures.”

"At long last Atlantic Avenue is getting the attention it deserves as a Vision Zero Priority Corridor,” said Lara Birnback, Executive Director of the Brooklyn Heights Association. “We're very appreciative of the consistent advocacy provided by our elected officials, and for their partnership to bring needed change to the corridor. We thank DOT for recognizing the urgency of these life-saving interventions and taking action to make things better in the immediate while they continue to study and plan for additional measures in the future. I know many in our community are looking forward to enjoying the wonderful shopping and dining options provided by Atlantic Avenue in a safer and more calm environment!" 

“Crossing the street should not feel like a life-or-death decision, yet for too long, that has been the reality on Atlantic Avenue,” said Amanda Nichols, President of the Cobble Hill Association. “We are grateful to our elected officials and community partners who tirelessly advocate for change, and to DOT for listening to our concerns and implementing these critical pedestrian safety measures. By continuing to collaborate, we can fully realize the goals of Vision Zero and ensure our streets are safe for everyone.”

"It is unfathomable that human beings are killed by vehicles on Atlantic Avenue when we have a citywide speed limit of 25 miles per hour,” said Kelly Carroll, Executive Director of the Atlantic Avenue BID. "These essential safety interventions will force drivers to change their behavior and speed, and therefore save lives. We thank our elected officials for their staunch support and DOT for their swift action in what we hope is only the beginning of making Atlantic Avenue safer for all users."

“The Boerum Hill Association thanks our Council Member and DOT for these improvements,” said Howard Kolins, President of the Boerum Hill Association. “We also thank our neighboring community organizations, CB2 and the Atlantic Avenue BID for their advocacy. The Boerum Hill section of Atlantic Avenue is home to many women's owned businesses. While the avenue is a major thoroughfare, it is our home, our main street. We need to improve the quality of life for these small businesses, property owners and residents. It must be a safe and hospitable place for all of us.”

“Atlantic Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets in New York City, and it needed a comprehensive redesign yesterday,” said Kathy Park Price, Brooklyn Organizer for Transportation Alternatives. “So many of these improvements, from mid-block crossings to signal adjustments to daylighting — are critical safety upgrades for everyone traveling along Atlantic. Thank you to our partners in government, especially Council Member Restler, for your unwavering support for a safe Atlantic Avenue. We know these essential upgrades will save lives, and we will keep fighting for a bold redesign for the entire corridor. We are glad to see these steps forward, but want to see many more infrastructure announcements from the Adams administration to design and build a truly safe Atlantic Avenue.”

Media Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

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