Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue is poised for a significant makeover aimed at easing the commute for bus riders and enhancing safety for all. Announced by city transportation officials, the plan will see the addition of bus-only lanes and pedestrian-friendly spaces along a busy stretch of this thoroughfare. Work is set to begin this fall and, despite its complexity, should culminate by fall 2026, as reported by Gothamist.
Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez highlighted the project's urgency, citing "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" in a statement obtained by Gothamist. Noting the area's perilous reputation, the corridor stretching from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza is also a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, indicative of its high incidence of traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries.
The overhaul of Flatbush Avenue is not just a matter of convenience, but a lifeline for its predominately Black, female, and low-income ridership. With many households living on less than $80,000 a year, the projected increase in bus efficiency is a nod towards economic and social equity. This demographic has endured not only sluggish buses but also danger; transportation department data underlines a chilling statistic: 140 people have been killed or severely injured on Flatbush Avenue in just five years, as Gothamist reported.
The planned redesign is extensive, including the construction of six large concrete bus boarding islands strategically placed between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza, enhancing the separation of the bus lanes from the car traffic. With these new bus lanes, MTA President Demetrius Crichlow told PIX11, "This plan will drastically improve the commute times for the tens of thousands of daily riders who live on Flatbush Avenue – many of whom rely on public transportation to get to work."
