« Liu Outlines Powers Being Exercised, Powers He Would Like And State Of Campaign Plans | Main | Voice of the People for Feb. 22, 2010 »
February 24, 2010
Hit and run raises questions about Flatbush Ave.
Courier Life Publications
by Thomas Tracy
Sunday morning's tragic hit-and-run on Flatbush Avenue, which left 22-year-old Erinn Phelan reportedly brain-dead and her friend Alma Guerrero with a broken collarbone, has led to more questions about the potential effects of Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project on local road safety.
[City Council member Letitia] James said that the Sunday morning accident exemplifies the need for more traffic calming on Flatbush Avenue.
“It’s a speedway and it’s only going to get worse with the Atlantic Yards and the continued growth in Brooklyn,” explained James, who believes that the re-synchronization of traffic signals and more general lighting would bring some much needed relief. “We’re not looking for street furniture, we’re going to be pushing for combatting problems with speeding.”
James said that the DOT seemed “receptive” to the traffic light ideas she and the North Flatbush BID are proposing.
...Cops from the 78th and 77th precincts said that they are stepping up traffic enforcement on Flatbush Avenue in light of Phelan’s accident and other complaints.
“We’re doing a lot more speeding enforcement,” Deputy Inspector John Argenziano, commanding officer of the 78th Precinct told members of the 78th Precinct Community Council Tuesday.
NoLandGrab: The Atlantic Yards Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) admits that the thousands of parking spaces planned for Atlantic Yards will generate thousands of additional daily car trips. What's uncertain is whether those trips will lead to slower speeds as a result of added congestion, or more speeding when frustrated drivers finally get past the gridlock.
One thing the FEIS didn't take into consideration: the potentially impairing effects of alcohol consumed inside the Barclays Center on the thousands of drivers — and pedestrians — leaving arena events.
Posted by eric at February 24, 2010 10:55 PM