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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #16-019
March 1, 2016
Scott Gastel/Bonny Tsang (212) 839-4850

NYC DOT and Council Member Stephen Levin Announce North Williamsburg Transportation Study

em>Starting this month, City will collect neighborhood data in a range of areas: street safety, public transportation, accessibility, congestion, travel times, and parking

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Keith Bray and Council Member Stephen Levin today announced that the City will begin a comprehensive study to look at traffic and transportation in the North Williamsburg/Greenpoint neighborhoods of Brooklyn. DOT will use the study to evaluate travel needs for all modes of transportation and traffic congestion in the area.  The study will also develop recommendations to mitigate congestion and enhance mobility and safety for all residents, workers, and visitors to the area.

 “The DOT is excited to embark on a study that will inform how New Yorkers move around in North Williamsburg for years to come,” said DOT Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Keith Bray. “We look forward to working with Councilmember Levin, local leaders and the entire community as we move forward with the study.”

  “I am thrilled that DOT will be moving forward with a long-awaited transportation study in North Williamsburg. Residents have been asking for this kind of study for years. This neighborhood has changed in recent years and our approach to congestion and mobility needs to evolve with it for us to meet the needs of everyone in the community,” said Council Member Stephen Levin.  “I am proud that I was able to secure funding for this important study and I look forward to working with Borough Commissioner Bray and the Williamsburg community to make it a success.”

The proposed study area is bounded by Newtown Creek to the north and east, Flushing Avenue and Broadway to the south and the East River to the west.  This burgeoning area is home to a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses. The study will look at demographics, land use and zoning, traffic, pedestrians and cyclists, safety, parking, public transportation, and movement of goods/trucks in the area. The study will collect data on traffic, turning and pedestrian counts at major corridors and intersections throughout the study area. The study will be coordinated with the Department of City Planning, which is preparing the North Brooklyn Industry and Innovation Plan.

As part of public outreach, DOT has established a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) that includes local elected officials, Community Board 1, Department of City Planning (DCP), New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), New York City Transit (NYCT), Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC).  Local community members will also be able to participate through a minimum of three public meetings, which will be held corresponding to study milestones.  

"North Brooklyn, particularly Williamsburg, has undergone significant changes, and it's important our streets and transportation keep up," said State Senator Daniel Squadron. "I thank the Department of Transportation and Councilmember Levin, and look forward to continuing to work towards better streets and transportation in our communities."

“I am pleased that the City is launching a study address congestion, safety and mobility in North Williamsburg,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “This analysis must lead to concrete action to improve transportation access in an area where infrastructure is straining under increased development, and I strongly encourage DOT Commissioner Trottenberg to replicate this effort in other Brooklyn neighborhoods facing similar challenges.”

“This study will help identify solutions to the very real transportation challenges facing North Brooklyn,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez. “As this area grows, it is important we have workable and sustainable transportation options that serve the needs of our City’s working families.”

“North Brooklyn residents have been asking for a comprehensive transportation study for years, so I’m very pleased to see this project finally beginning,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso. “We have many issues that need to be addressed, including truck traffic, crowded trains, and a constantly growing population without associated infrastructure improvements. I look forward to working with DOT and to helping ensure that community voices are included in the study.”

“We are pleased that the DOT is conducting this study in coordination with the Department of City Planning’s North Brooklyn Industry and Innovation Plan,” said DCP Brooklyn Borough Director, Winston Von Engel. “Aligning the recommendations of these two complementary planning efforts is important to balancing the needs of residents and industrial businesses.” 

 Data collection will last through Spring/Summer 2016 with final results and recommendations to be released by the Fall 2017.

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