Pols Call For Brooklyn Bridge Pedestrian Expansion

Today members of the City Council are holding a press conference to present a new proposal to expand the Brooklyn Bridge’s elevated path, often overcrowded with tourists and bikers. This proposal calls for doubling the width of the Brooklyn Bridge elevated path, with three quarters of the expanded space reserved for pedestrians and one quarter designated for cyclists. Considering the elevated path is above the traffic lanes, the roadbed would remain unchanged. The councilmembers are seeking architecture and design partners to launch a design competition for a new elevated pathway proposal. According to a press release, “Proposals would seek to realize the expanded pedestrian space, while addressing engineering challenges and maintaining a design that is compatible with the bridge’s historic character.” Councilmember Brad Lander, Councilmember Margaret Chin, Councilmember Steve Levin, and Paul Steely White for Transportation Alternatives will be speaking this afternoon at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge elevated path on Centre Street, in Manhattan.