Stoplight Victory

October 19, 2011 Community News

Hot diggity! This just came in! Congratulations all around! (The back story is here.)

NYC DOT APPROVES TRAFFIC SIGNAL FOR TRIBECA INTERSECTION
Recent study determined that traffic conditions at Greenwich and Duane streets met guidelines
for installation of traffic controls.
The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced the approval
of a traffic signal for Greenwich and Duane streets in Manhattan after a study determined that the volume of pedestrians crossing Greenwich met federal guidelines for the installation of traffic controls. DOT had opened the study to examine if traffic signals measures were needed to address safety concerns expressed by residents and local community officials. The traffic signal will be installed in approximately four months and will also include the addition of a crosswalk
across the north leg of Greenwich.
“New York streets are safer than they’ve ever been, and we need to make sure that they continue to meet the changing needs of neighborhoods like Lower Manhattan,” said Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Greenwich is a key one-way downtown residential and retail street in an area that has added hundreds of new residential units, major retailers, restaurants and a popular Greenmarket. The study found a major increase in pedestrians on weekends, with the number of people crossing Greenwich as much as three times the level recorded during a 2007 study. Working with the community, DOT in 2009 added pedestrian crossing and playground advisory signs approaching Greenwich and Duane. The agency also added road markings in front at a nearby market to discourage illegal angle parking that reduced visibility for pedestrians and motorists.
New York City’s streets are at all-time low levels for traffic safety, and Manhattan’s Community District 1 reports the lowest average number of crashes in Manhattan resulting in death and serious injury from 2006-2010. DOT has worked to address safety concerns at this location with Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin and Council Member Margaret Chin. In addition, the agency also worked with other local elected officials including Congress Member Jerrold Nadler, Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Dan Squadron and Assembly Member Deborah Glick.
 

4 Comments

  2. Andrea
    October 19, 2011 • 11:44 am

    Really glad to hear this. Thanks for letting us know.

  3. Jim Smithers
    October 19, 2011 • 1:43 pm

    Congratulations? it took soooooo many years, speeches, letters (possibly an email or two) and cash money, not to mention another 4 months, for what a homeless guy in Duane Park could have told you for a cup of coffee – from Starbucks, not Laughing Man. Sorry, GiggleMan, but you’re too new. The original hipsters of TriBeCa have to warm up to you & the Jackman. But at least the elderly and children will be safe (in 4 months), the rest of us 95%-ers will have to take our chances. Stay Vigilant – we’re not safe yet!!!

  4. Rose
    October 21, 2011 • 8:55 am

    Glad I was one of the many folks writing to the DOT for the light, it takes a village!