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Brooklyn, NY - State Promises to Fix FDR Drive-Brooklyn Bridge Ramp |
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State promises to fix FDR Drive-Brooklyn Bridge ramp
The state Department of Transportation announced this week that it will make cosmetic changes to the frustrating exit ramp from the southbound FDR Drive onto the fabled span — initially paint and new signage, but, eventually, a plan to widen the ramp to two lanes so it can better handle the traffic.
“That’s the five-year project,” said state Sen. Daniel Squadron (D-Brooklyn Heights), who said he was pleased that the long-term plan will widen a ramp that sometimes backs up as far as the Manhattan Bridge, encouraging [expletive deleted] drivers to cut in at the last minute.
That ramp is “nothing short of infuriating,” Squadron added in the understatement of the year.
For now, the first-term lawmaker got a commitment from state DOT to make immediate superficial improvements, including new paint on all lane markers, making them easier to read and clearer about when the merge is approaching; two repetitions of the words “EXIT ONLY,” to discourage cutting; and replacing the current sign that reads, “Bklyn-Battery Tunnel” with a new sign that reads, “Exit 1 / Battery Pk / Staten Is Ferry.”
“It will be clearer for people and for the police to do enforcement,” Squadron said.
When reminded that catching cheaters at that entrance ramp would be as easy as handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500, Squadron reminded that the current lane markers aren’t as clear as they could be.
“There is one point where it says ‘Do not cross solid line,’ but it’s not solid at that point,” he said. “We all know that the long-term solution is a two-lane exit — and that’s going to happen.”
There isn’t a Brooklyn driver who hasn’t been caught in traffic at that ramp, though at least one motorist said Squadron’s “powder and paint” won’t help the problem.
“When it’s a two-lane exit, fine,” said driver Jen Frayne. “But they’ve put down paint before. People still cut in, penalizing those of us who play by the rules. The only way to stop it is to put a cop on the ramp all day long.”
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Read Comments (11) — Post Yours »
1
Nov 04, 2009 at 10:03 AM Anonymous Says:
this is the least of the fdr's problems.
they MUST increase the ENTIRE fdr including the harlem river drive by 2 LANES.
the entire fdr should be widened by 2 lanes.
is it normal that in one of the most popular cities in america, and probably the densest and most congested, the only true highway in manhattan is only 3 lanes wide?? is that normal? no
they must widen the entire highway
2
Nov 04, 2009 at 11:15 AM sarah Says:
How about the" ocean of waves" your car hits as you enter the Manhattan Bridge from Flatbush Avenue? Your car bucks and rolls on the asphalt, sometimes getting an airlift of 6 inches before it hits the ground. If you don't expect it, it can seriously damage your car. That seriously needs fixing. What's odd is that it seems as if they laid a fresh layer of asphalt over this roller coaster. And if those bumps are there for a reason, maybe a sign indicating bumps ahead would be useful.
3
Nov 04, 2009 at 11:35 AM Anonymous Says:
They should make an all New tunnel from Brooklyn/Queens directly into NJ, Are the Lincoln, Holland Tunnels and GWB always congested with traffic? this is due to all the vehicles coming from Brooklyn/Queens/Bronx/ Yonkers/Long Island trying to get across into NJ
4
Nov 04, 2009 at 12:20 PM Anonymous Says:
“ this is the least of the fdr's problems.
they MUST increase the ENTIRE fdr including the harlem river drive by 2 LANES.
the entire fdr should be widened by 2 lanes.
is it normal that in one of the most popular cities in america, and probably the densest and most congested, the only true highway in manhattan is only 3 lanes wide?? is that normal? no
they must widen the entire highway ”
in case you haven't noticed, there are buildings on one side of the FDR/HRD and a river on the other. You can't knock the buildings down & building over the river is extremely difficult.
5
Nov 04, 2009 at 10:50 AM chusid Says:
The same problem occurs getting off the Brooklyn Bridge getting onto the BQE. The cutting is rediculous. Why can't cops enforce these laws
6
Nov 04, 2009 at 10:42 AM mythoughts Says:
Oh no!! Here comes a long drawn out construction project with a lot of aggravation and little gain.
7
Nov 04, 2009 at 10:39 AM Anonymous Says:
for all the brooklyn br. solid or exit line cutters on the brooklyn side that make me wait a half hour by the exit I enjoy to see you get that ticket so you feel the pain too that I feel following the law and the extra gas it cost me I say out of pain and stress
8
Nov 04, 2009 at 02:01 PM Anonymous Says:
“ for all the brooklyn br. solid or exit line cutters on the brooklyn side that make me wait a half hour by the exit I enjoy to see you get that ticket so you feel the pain too that I feel following the law and the extra gas it cost me I say out of pain and stress ”
For all those days that traffic is backed up on the brooklyn bridge ramp towards brooklyn. Just stay to the left and keep going untill you get to the tip of battery park and make a you turn and come back with the north bound fdr drive and take the brooklyn bridge entrance. Don't go down into the tunnel towards the west side. This always works for me and saves me lots of time and it feels better for the nerves.
9
Nov 04, 2009 at 03:18 PM gregaaron Says:
If this is really the "worst thing about living in Brooklyn", maybe I should consider moving...
10
Nov 05, 2009 at 02:18 AM AB Says:
The revenue that could be generated by a traffic cam similar to the red light ticket cam at both ends of the bridge catching solid line crossers could pay off the national debt! I have suggested this to 311 for several years. They could also try to extend the entry lane a greater distance with more vertical plastic tube lane dividers as are installed in the tunnel.
11
Nov 04, 2009 at 08:04 PM tt s Says:
is that the halberstam ramp? will it still be called so after the repairs?