From Speedway To Residential Boulevard — Making Ocean Parkway Safer

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced last week that work has begun on an $8.5 million project to improve safety and traffic flow on Ocean Parkway.

“Creating a safer Ocean Parkway will benefit neighborhoods and families throughout Brooklyn – and ultimately help save lives,” the governor said in a press release. “Every day, nearly 45,000 vehicles and thousands of bicyclists and pedestrians rely on Ocean Parkway. They deserve a roadway that is safely designed and constructed, and this project will ensure a safer route for all.”

The project will remodel confusing and dangerous intersections on the roadway between Shore Parkway and the Prospect Expressway, and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2017, according to the governor’s press release.

Local elected officials praised the effort to remake Ocean Parkway.

“Building and maintaining infrastructure is critical to sustaining the continued growth and development of New York City,” Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said. “The installation of pedestrian and traffic signals, speed display signs, ramps, and other needed upgrades [on Ocean Parkway]  will make travel safer for all and I applaud the Cuomo administration and NYSDOT for prioritizing this effort.”

Here are the changes to Ocean Parkway:

• Implementing no-left-turns from the service road at 9 intersections: Avenue C, Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Avenue J, Avenue P, Kings Highway and Avenue U.
• Replacing six stop signs with traffic signals on the service road at the following locations: Avenue C, 18th Avenue, Bay Parkway, Avenue J, Avenue P and Kings Highway.
• Reconstructing 177 pedestrian ramps, including at the following high incident locations: Avenue C, Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Bay Parkway, Avenue J, Avenue P, Kings Highway, and Avenue U.
• Ramps will be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Installing 159 countdown pedestrian signals, including at the following high incident locations: Avenue C, Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Bay Parkway, Avenue J, Avenue P, Kings Highway, and Avenue U.
• Installing speed display signs at the following locations in each direction, for a total of six signs: between Avenue F and Ditmas Avenue, between Elwood Avenue and Avenue H, and at Avenue K. Upgrading the pavement markings and installing high visibility crosswalks at the following high incident locations: Avenue C, Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Bay Parkway, Avenue J, Avenue P, Kings Highway, and Avenue U.
• Upgrading the traffic signs at the following high incident locations: Avenue C, Cortelyou Road, Ditmas Avenue, 18th Avenue, Avenue I, Bay Parkway, Avenue J, Avenue P, Kings Highway, and Avenue U.

On top of the safety improvements, the governor announced a separate $6.7 million project, which will begin accepting bids in December, to resurface the asphalt and install new pavement markings on Ocean Parkway.

“With its unique design inspired by the tranquil boulevards of Paris back in the mid-1800s, Ocean Parkway was never intended to be a speedway,” observed Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz.

“This long-awaited project will not only accomplish the goal of making the thoroughfare safer and more manageable for cars,” Cymbrowitz said, “but it will also allow pedestrians to stroll, sit on the benches and cross the street without fear.”