Brooklyn’s Utica Avenue Select Bus Service Route Receives Pedestrian Safety and Infrastructure Upgrades

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Brooklyn’s Utica Avenue Select Bus Service Route Receives Pedestrian Safety and Infrastructure Upgrades

DOT: Alana Morales, 212-839-4850, amorales4@dot.nyc.gov

DEP: Douglas Auer, 718-595-6600, deppressoffice@dep.nyc.gov

DDC: Ian Michaels, 718-391-1589, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Brooklyn, NY - February 11, 2020) NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Lorraine Grillo announced today that a $22.7 million project to further speed buses along Brooklyn’s Utica Avenue Select Bus Service (SBS) Route has been completed. DDC managed the project for DOT, which contributes to Mayor DeBlasio’s Better Buses Action Plan, with a goal of speeding buses by 25% and enhancing existing bus lanes throughout NYC. In addition, the project enhances pedestrian safety and infrastructure along this Vision Zero corridor in recognition that pedestrian safety and accessible bus stops help to encourage bus ridership.

A new bus bulb on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn helps riders access buses and improves traffic flow

“We are proud that across Brooklyn from Kings Plaza Mall to Bed-Stuy, 44,000 daily B46 Select Bus Service riders are seeing faster and more reliable commutes,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “After implementing SBS along this corridor more than three years ago, we have seen the busiest route in Brooklyn bus service bring its riders faster and more reliable bus service. Thanks to our partners at DDC and DEP, the additional improvements and Vision Zero enhancements along Utica Avenue will help us continue that progress.”

“By coordinating with our partner agencies we have built new water mains to better serve the residents and businesses of Brooklyn while also delivering world-class pedestrian and transit improvements, said DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. “Thank you to DDC for managing this project and we look forward to coordinating on similar initiatives across the five boroughs.”

“These upgrades along the B46 Select Bus Service route make bus service faster and more reliable, and the streets safer for riders and pedestrians alike,” said DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “DDC partners with DOT to bring the Mayor’s Vision Zero initiatives to every neighborhood.”

New traffic islands on Utica Avenue calm traffic and make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street

The project installed 29 new reinforced-concrete bus pads along the route of the B46, the busiest bus route in Brooklyn, from Avenue N to Eastern Parkway. Thirty-two neckdowns were created at intersections to control traffic and shorten the distance pedestrians have to walk to cross the street. An additional 12 bus bulbs were built, expanding sidewalk space near bus stops, and two new traffic island were created at Crown Street and at Rutland Road. The project also included 11 curbs extensions around two nearby schools along the corridor, PS 208 and PS 221, as part of DOT’s School Safety program.

New traffic signals, street lighting and signage were installed along the length of the project area, along with new asphalt in many areas plus new pavement striping and markings. Almost 83,000 square feet of new sidewalks were installed, while underground one mile of new water mains were added. A total of 15 older fire hydrants were replaced with new ones and 62 new catch basins were added to help with street drainage.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction

The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $14 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.