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DOT unveils new safety plan for busy Brooklyn Heights intersection

In a significant move to address longstanding safety concerns at a notoriously dangerous intersection in Brooklyn Heights, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled a comprehensive safety plan aimed at protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The intersection in question, located at the convergence of Atlantic Avenue, Court Street, and Hicks Street, has been a focal point of community frustration due to its high accident rates and complex traffic patterns. This busy junction, often described as a chaotic nexus of vehicular and pedestrian activity, serves as a critical gateway to the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and connects several key thoroughfares in the borough. The DOT's newly proposed safety plan represents a multi-faceted approach to mitigating risks, incorporating infrastructure redesigns, traffic flow adjustments, and enhanced signage to create a safer environment for all users of the roadway.

The core of the DOT's initiative revolves around a series of physical changes to the intersection's layout, intended to reduce the likelihood of collisions and improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. One of the primary components of the plan is the introduction of dedicated pedestrian islands, which will serve as safe havens for individuals crossing the wide expanse of Atlantic Avenue. These islands are designed to break up the crossing distance, allowing pedestrians to navigate the intersection in stages rather than attempting to cross multiple lanes of traffic in a single, often rushed, effort. This measure is particularly significant given the heavy foot traffic in the area, which includes residents, commuters, and visitors accessing nearby commercial districts and public transit hubs.

In addition to pedestrian islands, the DOT plans to implement curb extensions, also known as bulb-outs, at key points around the intersection. These extensions will effectively narrow the roadway at crosswalks, shortening the distance pedestrians must travel to reach the opposite side of the street. By reducing the crossing distance, curb extensions not only enhance pedestrian safety but also encourage drivers to slow down as they approach the intersection. This design element is expected to address one of the primary causes of accidents in the area: excessive vehicle speeds. The narrower roadway will naturally compel motorists to exercise greater caution, particularly during peak traffic hours when the intersection is at its busiest.

Another critical aspect of the safety plan involves reconfiguring the traffic flow to minimize conflict points between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. The DOT has proposed the addition of dedicated turn lanes and the realignment of certain approaches to the intersection to streamline vehicle movements. For instance, left-turning vehicles, which often contribute to delays and collisions, will be guided into clearly marked lanes with improved signal timing to reduce the risk of accidents. Furthermore, the plan includes the installation of leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) at traffic signals. LPIs give pedestrians a head start to begin crossing before vehicles are allowed to proceed, thereby increasing their visibility to drivers and reducing the likelihood of right-turn collisions—a common hazard at busy urban intersections like this one.

Cyclist safety is also a priority in the DOT's redesign. Recognizing the growing number of cyclists in Brooklyn Heights and the surrounding areas, the plan incorporates the addition of protected bike lanes leading into and out of the intersection. These lanes will be physically separated from vehicular traffic by barriers or bollards, providing a safer space for cyclists to navigate the busy junction. Additionally, bike-specific signals will be installed to ensure that cyclists have dedicated times to cross or turn, further reducing the potential for conflicts with cars and trucks. This focus on cyclist infrastructure aligns with broader citywide efforts to promote sustainable transportation and encourage more residents to adopt biking as a primary mode of travel.

Beyond physical infrastructure changes, the DOT's safety plan emphasizes the importance of enhanced signage and road markings to improve clarity and communication for all road users. High-visibility crosswalks will be painted at all legs of the intersection, ensuring that drivers are acutely aware of pedestrian crossing zones. New directional signs will also be erected to guide motorists through the complex layout of the junction, particularly for those unfamiliar with the area or accessing the nearby BQE ramps. These signs will be complemented by pavement markings that delineate lanes and turning paths, reducing the likelihood of driver confusion—a factor that has historically contributed to accidents at this location.

Community input has played a pivotal role in shaping the DOT's safety plan, reflecting the agency's commitment to addressing the specific concerns of Brooklyn Heights residents and stakeholders. Over the past several months, the DOT has engaged in extensive outreach efforts, hosting public meetings and soliciting feedback from local advocacy groups, business owners, and everyday users of the intersection. Many residents have expressed frustration with the current state of the junction, citing frequent near-misses, aggressive driving behaviors, and a general sense of unease when navigating the area on foot or by bike. The DOT has taken these concerns to heart, incorporating community suggestions into the final design wherever feasible. For example, the decision to prioritize pedestrian islands and LPIs was directly influenced by resident feedback highlighting the challenges of crossing Atlantic Avenue safely.

The safety plan also acknowledges the unique challenges posed by the intersection's proximity to the BQE, which funnels a high volume of traffic through the area on a daily basis. Trucks and other large vehicles accessing the expressway often struggle to maneuver through the tight turns and congested lanes at Atlantic Avenue and Hicks Street, creating bottlenecks and increasing the risk of collisions. To address this issue, the DOT is exploring options for rerouting certain types of traffic or implementing time-of-day restrictions to limit heavy vehicle access during peak pedestrian hours. While these measures are still under consideration, they underscore the agency's holistic approach to tackling the intersection's safety challenges, taking into account not only local traffic patterns but also regional connectivity.

Implementation of the safety plan is expected to unfold in phases, with initial work focusing on the installation of temporary measures such as painted crosswalks and interim signage. These short-term interventions will allow the DOT to test the effectiveness of certain design elements and make adjustments as needed before committing to permanent changes. Once the final design is finalized, construction of the pedestrian islands, curb extensions, and protected bike lanes will commence, transforming the intersection into a safer and more user-friendly space. Throughout the process, the DOT has pledged to maintain open lines of communication with the community, providing regular updates on progress and opportunities for further input.

The unveiling of this safety plan marks a significant step forward in addressing the longstanding hazards at the Atlantic Avenue, Court Street, and Hicks Street intersection. For years, this junction has been a source of concern for Brooklyn Heights residents, who have witnessed countless accidents and near-misses due to its outdated design and heavy traffic volumes. The DOT's comprehensive approach, which combines infrastructure improvements, traffic flow adjustments, and community engagement, offers a promising path toward a safer future for all who pass through this critical crossroads. By prioritizing the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike, the agency is demonstrating its commitment to creating a more equitable and secure transportation network in one of New York City's most vibrant neighborhoods.

As the plan moves into the implementation phase, the eyes of the community will be on the DOT to ensure that the proposed changes deliver the intended results. If successful, this project could serve as a model for other problematic intersections across the city, proving that thoughtful design and collaboration can transform even the most challenging urban spaces into safe and accessible environments. For now, Brooklyn Heights residents can take solace in the knowledge that their voices have been heard and that meaningful action is being taken to address a persistent safety concern in their neighborhood. The road to a safer intersection may be long, but with the DOT's latest plan, the journey has officially begun.

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[ https://brooklyn.news12.com/dot-unveils-new-safety-plan-for-busy-brooklyn-heights-intersection ]