Official press release details mayoral commitment to complete delayed safety project
City Administration Commits to Evidence-Based Traffic Safety
The New York City Department of Transportation announced that it would implement the full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard from Meeker Avenue through the Pulaski Bridge, completing a safety project that serves as a critical cycling connection between Brooklyn and Queens with more than 4,000 daily riders during summer months. The boulevard operates as a dangerous corridor for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike, making the project essential for protecting all road users regardless of transportation method.
Complete Redesign Features Multiple Safety Infrastructure Elements
Upon completion, McGuinness Boulevard will feature one travel lane in each direction, one parking-protected bike lane in each direction, and one vehicular parking and loading lane in each direction. This configuration represents the original plan developed by the New York City Department of Transportation following an extensive community engagement process that concluded with formal recommendations in May 2023. The redesign incorporates evidence-based traffic safety principles documented in a 2022 Department of Transportation study showing that similar street safety projects produce significant reductions in serious injuries and fatalities for all road users, including pedestrians and motor vehicle occupants.
Reversing Prior Administration’s Scaled-Back Approach
The Mamdani administration’s decision to implement the full redesign reverses the previous administration’s decision to scale back the project to only the southern portion of the boulevard between Meeker and Calyer Street. The prior incomplete implementation left the northern section operating with dangerous four-lane configuration that has contributed to numerous traffic deaths and serious injuries over decades. The decision to restore the full scope of the original redesign plan signals the administration’s commitment to evidence-based traffic safety policy over political accommodation of private business interests.
Project Responds to Decade-Long Community Advocacy Campaign
The complete redesign addresses demands from community advocates, grieving families of traffic violence victims, and local elected officials who have campaigned for transformative safety improvements for more than a decade. In 2021, the tragic hit-and-run death of teacher Matthew Jensen galvanized community activism and led to the previous mayor’s commitment of $40 million to redesign the street comprehensively. The redesign will begin implementation as soon as weather permits, allowing the city to move forward immediately with the safety work that has been delayed for years through political obstacles. State Senator Kristen Gonzalez noted that the community has “tirelessly advocated for these evidence-based changes for years because we know they save lives.” The decision to implement the full redesign represents a clear statement that the new administration prioritizes public safety over private business accommodation in transportation planning decisions. For detailed information about the New York City Department of Transportation and its street safety initiatives, readers can visit the NYC Department of Transportation official website. Those interested in learning about Vision Zero and the evidence supporting traffic safety interventions can explore the Vision Zero website, which provides comprehensive data and research. Community members can engage with transportation safety advocacy through Transportation Alternatives, which advocates for safer streets and sustainable transportation. For ongoing coverage of street safety projects and transportation issues, Streetsblog New York City provides comprehensive reporting and analysis.
