Calming Traffic at Bergen and Smith
The folks over at Streetsblog pointed out the sidewalk extension at Smith and Bergen, part of a larger DOT traffic-calming program begun last spring, and gave a well-deserved nod to the residents, protesters, and advocates who have been fighting for over a decade to improve safety and traffic conditions in the area. We spoke with…
The folks over at Streetsblog pointed out the sidewalk extension at Smith and Bergen, part of a larger DOT traffic-calming program begun last spring, and gave a well-deserved nod to the residents, protesters, and advocates who have been fighting for over a decade to improve safety and traffic conditions in the area. We spoke with several passersby about the sidewalk extension at Bergen and Smith, and the reaction was mostly positive: it increases visibility between cars and pedestrians, shortens the crossing distance, and moderates vehicle speeds. It is, however, a lot of empty pavement, one person said—it could be more attractive with trees, benches, or public art. What do you think, readers? Are you satisfied with the changes at Smith and Bergen or any other traffic-calming measures in your neighborhoods?
Now That’s What I Call a Neckdown! [Streetsblog]
Legacy of Traffic-Calming Advocates [Streetsblog]
Brooklyn Traffic-Calming Project: 10 Years On [Streetsblog]
Greenery can go into planters. Trees can’t be planted over the subway (Smith Street has no tress (or very few).
I would like to see civic space here, some planters something to sit on (similar to what the DOT did in the meat packing district with re-purposed building materials, video on Steetsblog site).
Article said bike parking was being considered. Maybe Mr. B can set up a Smith St. Mini-Flea and sell some old socks or sumting:)
I say bravo to the DOT, more space alocated to pedesterians is never a bad thing.
The skater kids have already taken advantage of the extra pavement, I saw them enjoying the sidewalk just yesterday as I was just thinking “Haven’t seen many skater kids lately” as far as a newstand goes, smily dude that sells papers outside the F train entrance wouldn’t be too happy. Overall it’s a great addition. I’ve seen too many people fly through that intersection up Bergen which has 2 schools by Court, much safer. It’s taken them a year to do it, hopefully it won’t take another to make good use of the extra pavment.
i envision the skater kids setting up their ramps and rails in this newfound spot. they used to just put them in the street and compete for space with the speeding cars.
That corner is just begging for a big TREE!
(The fact that the tree would be over a subway line shouldn’t be a problem. There’s lots of trees over subway lines, no?)
I think it’s a great idea…I saw a woman get hit there not that long ago. But people are right…it’s a lot of sidewalk now, and very bare. Even just some trees would dress it up somewhat. I’m not sure that a newsstand is really what we want, since there are 2 delis on the opposite side of the street as it is.
Ziad’s sells papers also.
Come to think of it, a newsstand may not be such a bad idea….at least you could grab a paper before the train. But I would be concerned about a newsstand that would force me to have an anatomy lesson with my toddlers on the way to daycare (actually, I’d be more concerned about my kids asking why mine aren’t that big….).
I can rarely find a newspaper at that end of Smith street, the place on the corner of Bergen and Smith runs out quick, the place across the street (the organic place) also runs out quick, and there’s nothing between that and Atlantic ave.
I wouldnt mind a newstand.
About five or six years ago DOT installed a traffic island on Atlantic at Bond Street, and then removed it within six months. Anyone know what happened? I thought it was great.