Closing Bell: Left Turns Nixed on 4th & Union
4th Avenue’s transformation from traffic-choked truck route to residential strip got a little boost from the DOT recently. The department bowed to the wishes of the Park Slope Civic Council and eliminated northbound left turns at 4th and Union. The Civic Council argued that the turns were unnecessary since the westbound traffic lane ends at…
4th Avenue’s transformation from traffic-choked truck route to residential strip got a little boost from the DOT recently. The department bowed to the wishes of the Park Slope Civic Council and eliminated northbound left turns at 4th and Union. The Civic Council argued that the turns were unnecessary since the westbound traffic lane ends at 3rd Ave. and Union, a block away, and that they endangered pedestrians. GMAP
I cross that street at rush hour every day. At the most there are about 4 people who get stuck on that median when the light change catches them in the middle of the street. The median is plenty big. In fact, it’s as big as every other median from Atlantic Avenue to 70th Street. What makes Park Slope special? Are we too stupid to stand on a 3 foot median? The people who live in Sunset Park seem to manage to do it.
I cross that street at rush hour every day. At the most there are about 4 people who get stuck on that median when the light change catches them in the middle of the street. The median is plenty big. In fact, it’s as big as every other median from Atlantic Avenue to 70th Street. What makes Park Slope special? Are we too stupid to stand on a 3 foot median? The people who live in Sunset Park seem to manage to do it.
I cross that street at rush hour every day. At the most there are about 4 people who get stuck on that median when the light change catches them in the middle of the street. The median is plenty big. In fact, it’s as big as every other median from Atlantic Avenue to 70th Street. What makes Park Slope special? Are we too stupid to stand on a 3 foot median? The people who live in Sunset Park seem to manage to do it.
Close 4th Avenue completely, hen no one will ever die. Ever.
People are still making the left there.
Ugly-ass plastic thingies, no-left-turn sign or what.
It’s the Brooklyn Way!
6:26 referred to “the B71’s four riders.” There will probably be more riders once the MTA starts sending the B71 through the tunnel to South Ferry:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/18/nyregion/18service.html
Still, no reason the counterflow lane couldn’t be both for bikes and buses.
Whether or not it makes things safer, the DOT could done worlds better than those butt-ugly whatevers. If this is indeed a permanent change, why not build up the curb?
And for those of you who want Union one way…that’s absoulutely the wrong thing to do. 2-way streets are slower and safer (if for no other reason, that people double-park and slow things down. Would you rather have 5th/7th ave or Smith/Court sts? Or 6th vs 8th Aves?
Eliminating that turning lane at 4th and Union makes the intersection safer for Pedestrians. Period. Why eliminate the lane at that particular corner? Because there’s a heavily frequented subway stop on that corner. Every day between 4:30 and 7:30 pm, hordes of pedestrians stream out of the station and often get stuck in the middle of 4th avenue, mere inches from fast-moving cars sliding into the turning lane.
Eliminating that turn may force traffic on to other streets, but chances are the pedestrian traffic at those corners is far lighter than it is at 4th and Union due to the train.
And making Union Street one way with a bike lane is an excellent idea! Used to live at 5th and Union, and saw at least 3 accidents at that intersection– too much traffic.
as a driver i am not anti pedestrian. why on this board is it always that drivers hate people who walk on the street. the fact is that getting rid of this turn will make it more dangerous for people who live on sackett etc . again trucks making turns onto more residential streets to and from 4th to 3rd avenue. cars looping back at other intersections making illegal u turns. yes in ideal world every one would loop around but the reality is that wont happen. and for 7:18 driving in new york is expensive, your probably too poor to know this. and yes all efforts should be made to make it safer for pedestrians, this one is just change for the sake of change.