The transformation of Brooklyn’s Flatbush Avenue is set to commence this fall, as city officials unveil plans for new bus lanes aimed at improving transit efficiency. The New York City Department of Transportation announced that it will present updated details to Brooklyn’s Community Board 2, highlighting a strategy to convert two car lanes into bus-only lanes between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza.
This redesign seeks to enhance one of Brooklyn’s busiest corridors while addressing safety concerns and traffic congestion. The section of Flatbush Avenue affected by the changes traverses Downtown Brooklyn, parts of Park Slope, and Prospect Heights, servicing twelve bus routes. According to Department of Transportation statistics, buses on this route average speeds of less than four miles per hour during peak hours.
Improving Transit and Safety for Commuters
Ydanis Rodriguez, the Transportation Commissioner, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “We are excited to get Flatbush Avenue moving. Today, 132,000 daily bus riders are stuck waiting too long for slow buses, drivers are caught in a mess of traffic, and pedestrians are left crossing intersections clogged with vehicles.” He emphasized that the new bus lanes will significantly speed up service and enhance safety for all road users.
While no specific date for the construction start has been announced, officials anticipate that work could begin as early as the end of the month. The full completion of the project is projected for the fall of 2026, reflecting the complexity and scale of the redesign.
Key features of the project include the installation of six large concrete bus boarding islands to separate bus lanes from general traffic, over 14,000 square feet of newly painted pedestrian space, eleven new loading zones for local businesses, and up to fourteen new bike parking areas. These additions aim to create a safer environment for all users along Flatbush Avenue.
A Step Towards Safer Streets
Flatbush Avenue has been identified as one of the most hazardous roads in Brooklyn, with 140 individuals either killed or severely injured in the last five years. The construction marks a significant milestone in a years-long effort to revamp the avenue, which saw its first bus lane proposal from the Adams administration at the beginning of 2023.
This initiative follows a stop-and-go approach to transportation projects in the city, which has frustrated street safety advocates. The administration previously scrapped a comprehensive redesign of Fordham Road in the Bronx, while also moving forward with a busway on 34th Street after considerable public outcry regarding delays in other transit projects.
Additionally, the redesign will necessitate minor rerouting of segments of the B63 and B69 bus lines that currently travel along Flatbush Avenue. The updates aim not only to improve bus service but also to enhance the overall safety and accessibility of this critical thoroughfare.
The upcoming changes to Flatbush Avenue represent a proactive step towards enhancing public transportation in Brooklyn and addressing long-standing safety issues for commuters and pedestrians alike.
