Ocean Parkway Safety Improvements Are Underway

Following the tragic death of neighbor Ngozi Agbim in June, demonstrations, and a petition hand-delivered to Governor Cuomo’s office by District 39 Councilmember Brad Lander, it looks like the DOT’s promised safety improvements are coming to fruition on Ocean Parkway and Church Avenue.

Improvements to the intersection were a winning project in District 39’s 2012 Participatory Budgeting process, but the DOT had initially rejected the proposed plans.

Now, however, a pedestrian island is being built at the center of the intersection’s north side, where Ocean Parkway becomes the Prospect Expressway. The soon-to-be concrete island will shorten crossing distances and provide a safe stopping point, and will also hold pedestrian signals and help narrow travel lanes.

Other improvements will include flashing arrow signals warning right-turning drivers yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, replaced warning signs, new “traffic signal ahead” signs along the Prospect Expressway and speed limit signs on Ocean Parkway, and the installation of high visibility crosswalk markings on the north side of the intersection.

Streetsblog says the DOT has also made headway in its study of over 30 dangerous intersections along Ocean Parkway. From all of the intersections studied, 10 have been chosen for safety improvements– including (besides Church Avenue) Avenue C, Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Avenue, and 18th Avenue.

According to the site, the study should wrap up next spring, at which point $5 million in state funds will be going to the installation of safety measures at the chosen intersections like signal timing adjustments, pedestrian signals, curb ramp upgrades, and “restricting traffic or turning movements.”

Work on Ocean Parkway and Church should be completed by Spring 2014, with improvements to the other intersections mentioned above beginning in 2015.