Big Changes At Dangerous R’wood Corner
Hoping to prevent future deadly accidents, the city Department of Transportation (DOT) unveiled at a Monday, Apr. 21 meeting a set of proposed traffic changes at a busy intersection near Ridgewood’s transportation hub.
DOT officials presented to Brooklyn Community Board 4 and Queens Community Board 5 proposed changes at the confluence of Myrtle Avenue, Wyckoff Avenue and Palmetto Street as part of the city’s ongoing Vision Zero traffic safety campaign.
The intersection-located near the Ridgewood Intermodal Terminal, which serves six bus lines on Palmetto Street, and the Myrtle- Wyckoff Avenues L/M train station-has been the site of many serious accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles in recent years.
According to the DOT, two such accidents resulted in pedestrian fatalities and three other individuals suffered serious injuries.
Earlier this year, proponents of the Vision Zero campaign joined elected officials and civic activists at the crossroads for a vigil remembering Ella Bandes, a 23-yearold woman who was fatally struck by an MTA bus at the location in February 2012. The rally also called on the DOT to implement measures that prevent future accidents resulting in deaths and serious injuries.
By all accounts, the DOT plan unveiled on Monday aims to fulfill that request, as it calls for the elimination of several turning conflicts and the installation of devices to increase pedestrian safety and make passersby more visible to drivers.
In all, the DOT seeks to prohibit the following five turning movements:
– right turns from northbound Palmetto Street to eastbound Myrtle Avenue;
– right turns from northbound Wyckoff Avenue onto eastbound Myrtle Avenue;
– right turns from eastbound Myrtle Avenue to southbound Wyckoff Avenue;
– left turns from westbound Myrtle Avenue to southbound Wyckoff Avenue; and
– right turns from southbound Wyckoff Avenue onto westbound Myrtle Avenue.
According to the DOT, none of the proposed changes will effect MTA bus operations. Palmetto Street between Myrtle/Wyckoff and St. Nicholas avenues is reserved for bus traffic only.
Additionally, the DOT proposes installing five painted curb extensions at the three-way intersection. This will shorten the distance for pedestrians crossing the street and also aims to force drivers to slow down.
A new high-visibility crosswalk will also be installed on the east side of the intersection across Myrtle and Wyckoff avenues.
With new, brighter street lighting installed on the elevated M train structure above the intersection, the DOT is also considering installing flashing yellow warning lights on the elevated line’s beams to further enhance both pedestrian and driver safety.
It was noted that the DOT will work with the Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District to maintain the painted intersections after they are installed. Additionally, the DOT Safety Education Department will visit the Ridgewood area and distribute materials on pedestrian safety; it was noted that the DOT observed many jaywalkers in studies at the location.
To view a PowerPoint presentation on the proposed improvements, visit www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/p df/2014-04-21-myrtle-wyckoffpalmetto. pdf.
The matter was discussed further at Tuesday’s (Apr. 22) Community Board 5 Transportation and Public Transit Committees meeting in Glendale. Details about the session will be included in next week’s issue.
