Skateboarders Derive Added Benefit From Wider Traffic Calming Sidewalks

As part of the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming project, the New York City Department Of Transportation has recently installed wider sidewalks like the one above at the corner of Smith Street and Bergen Street. The purpose of these "neckdowns" is to provide a safer crossing for pedestrians and to slow traffic across Smith Street.

Unexpectedly, the wider sidewalks serve another purpose. Local skateboarders have been enjoying the curbs to perform some very cool tricks. They sure seems to enjoy themselves.

But then, maybe that was all part of the plan. After all, the city's web site states:

"The project's goal is to make all types of streets function better for all users of the public space."

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Connect Neighborhoods By The B.Q.E.: An Invitation To A Community Design Workshop

The N.Y.C. Economic Development Corporation is hosting the first of three design workshops to improve the connection between Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and the Columbia Street waterfront .

The BQE Enhancement Project is a joint effort between New York City and our community to "improve the pedestrian environment between Atlantic and Hamilton Avenue."

The first workshop will take place on May 4th at Long Island College Hospital. During the session, designers will solicit advice and input from neighborhood residents.

Workshop 1

Tuesday, May 4th

6:30 Pm to 8:30 PM

Long Island College Hospital

Avram Conference Center

339 Hicks Street

Please RSVP at bqe@nycedc.com

The project is sponsored by Congresswoman Nydia Velàzquez and the New York City Department of Transportation.

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How Many Trucks And Workers Does It Take ? D.O.T. Repairs A (Small) Patch On Union Street Bridge

Recently, the N.Y.C. Department Of Transportation has been doing work on the Union Street Bridge. According to a public announcement by the agency, repairs to the structural grating deck were to be performed in February and March.

D.O.T. workers were still working on the bridge on Thursday. From the distance, it appeared as though extensive work was being performed. After all, five big D.O.T. trucks were parked on the bridge. Four crew members were intently bent over part of the roadway. It seemed like complicated work.
Except, on closer inspection, the four crew members were cementing a very, very small patch of the roadway. And they were taking turns slowly, slowly, slowly smoothing it out, as one of the drivers seemed to supervise from his truck.

I looked, I really did, but there was no evidence that there was more to the repair work than that little square.
Five trucks and four workers for this? A bit overkill, no?




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