Sunset Park's 4th Avenue Gets a "Road Diet" This Fall

Streetsblog reported the very welcome news that a dangerous stretch of 4th Avenue through Sunset Park should get a makeover as soon as this fall. Currently the two-and-a-half mile stretch consists of six lanes of moving traffic and left-turn bays. The DOT proposed, in Streetsblog’s words: “Recommendations [to] essentially slim the street down from six lanes to four lanes and add pedestrian space in the median using low-cost materials like paint, epoxy, and gravel.” 17-foot wide combined parking-and-traffic lanes will be reduced to 13-feet. Extra space in the parking lane increases safety for bicyclists, as well. Expanded medians, left turn restrictions, and a slimmer right-of-way for traffic shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and control the speeding problem down 4th. All the details are outlined on the DOT presentation [PDF]. The DOT is also looking into a few spots for dedicated pedestrian space extended through the entire intersection, but those sites have not been decided yet. And from 7 to 10am – morning commute hours – the northbound side of the street will retain three traffic lanes from 38th Street to 17th Street, after which the curb lane will revert back to parking. The majority of Community Board Seven members expressed their support. DOT should begin construction in August or September and be done by the fall. DOT outreach for safety measures on 4th Avenue through Bay Ridge are expected this fall and winter, while Park Slope outreach should come the winter or spring of 2013.
Deadly Fourth Avenue in Sunset Park Poised to Get Life-Saving Road Diet [Streetsblog]