Yesterday the Cobble Hill Association demanded safer pedestrian space in approaching the uber-popular mega-playground that is the new Pier 6. Now the Brooklyn Paper has gone to see for themselves, and it’s not pretty:
Approaching the pier along Atlantic Avenue is particularly formidable, as pedestrians must cross exit ramps to the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway, encountering eastbound vehicles on Atlantic turning left to get on the highway, along with right-turning cars and trucks.
And at the northern terminus of Columbia Street, a right-on-red signal that allows cars to turn east onto Atlantic is virtually ignored, as vehicles roll through what has now become a major crossing nexus.
With cars and trucks coming from every direction, park-users are befuddled.
With the vuvuzelas of the community buzzing, it shouldn’t be long before the NYC DOT puts safety measures in place. God forbid something awful should happen in the meantime. Shouldn’t they think of these things BEFORE they open a $55 million playground?
Holy crap I almost got killed walking. I had the right of way with the walk sign, but the traffic peeling off of Atlantic on to the highway almost didn’t notice me, 3 times. This must suck for parents, and god forbid someone smaller has trouble getting noticed.