Cymbrowitz Calls On State To Lift U-Turn Ban At Guider And Coney Island Avenues

In order to improve traffic conditions at a dangerous intersection, State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz has called on the State Department of Transportation (DOT) to lift a U-turn ban at Coney Island Avenue and Guider Avenue while the city works redesign the roadway.

In a letter to State DOT Commissioner, Cymbrowitz said that the intersection “is not only complicated, with more than five directions of traffic converging, but has been inherently dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians.”

The City DOT recently began construction at the intersection, where drivers can enter and exit the Belt Parkway, in order to improve traffic flow and make the area safer for pedestrians. Changes include adding left turn lanes on Coney Island Avenue and extending medians and sidewalks to make crosswalks less hazardous.

However, the City DOT was unable to incorporate a U-turn into its plans for the intersection, which some argued would alleviate congestion, because they could not override the state’s restrictions.

“In conversations with their engineers at public hearings, many in my district have voiced their belief that lifting this U-turn ban as part of the new traffic signal timing would improve the intersection,” Cymbrowitz wrote. “I am requesting that this policy be reviewed and, if determined to be feasible, discretion be given to NYC DOT whether or not a southbound U-turn would improve the intersection and create a safer environment for both drivers and pedestrians.”