Brooklyn, NY – Speaking at the Community Board 12 meeting last night, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) expressed outrage about the recent installation of pedestrian islands along Fort Hamilton Parkway, noting the danger the islands pose for emergency and sanitation vehicles, as well as for regular motorists.
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Since the installation of the islands, firefighters have reported that their response time has been slowed, while the ability of ambulances to quickly reach Maimonides Medical Center has also been adversely affected. Sanitation workers, too, are concerned that snow removal along the roadway will now be hindered.
In fact, Hikind said that he was told by a volunteer ambulance member that a patient being transported to Maimonides Medical Center died en route to the hospital after traffic was snarled because of the pedestrian islands. Hikind emphasized repeatedly that neither he nor the community board was given proper notice or an opportunity to review or discuss the DOT’s plan to install these islands.
The community board voted unanimously to oppose the new curb extensions and islands in the district and called upon DOT to cease further work until a traffic pattern study is produced and presented to the community board at a future hearing. The board noted that the islands were a “public safety concern” and “a hazard.”
The New York City Department of Transportation has defended the installation of the islands, claiming they were necessary to improve senior safety. Hikind countered that argument stating that the installation of pedestrian countdown signals, already in use throughout the City, would have been more than sufficient to let seniors know how much time they had to safely cross the street.
“I am determined to stop this,” Hikind said. “I am going to get the City to take a second look.”
Watch Assemblyman Hikind speak last night at community board. Exclusive video for VIN News. Credit: Shimon Gifter
Watch below Councilmemebr Brad lander who was instrumental in getting the pedestrian island installed, defend his position.
I’m just curious who’s gonna pay for the removal (if it ever happens), since we paid for the installation without our consent will the DOT pay to remove???
this bloomberg and his attempt to europeanize or city bike lanes no one wants malls killing businesss tree being planted when we are cutting vital services sexua;l assault on airline travelers and this is all his position why was he put back in office because jews are fools
Even if this story is true, which I strongly doubt, there are probably many more pedestrian and bikers’ lives that will be saved by slowing down traffic and making it easier for the elderly and those with little children to cross the street.
On Prospect Park East where the road was redesigned to accommodate bikes and slow down traffic, it has actually accomplished exactly the opposite. Now that there is only one lane to drive on, as there is always a double parked truck or someone is getting into a parking place; therefore when empty road is seen, the cars race at 50 miles an hour to catch the next light. Those that argued for the redoing of that rode argued that it has become a highway, now that they got their way it has become a racing track.
They have deceived us on Prospect Park East and are deceiving us on Fort Hamilton “Parkway” which has turned into a huge park (and drive) way.
I can’t wait for this buffoon blumberg to go away, this clown has done a lot of damage to this city.
My parents are senior citizens. They dont need that stupid island. They keep saying if its not broken, dont fix it. If the City wants to help bring safety to our neighborhood, let them make a traffic light on the corner of 10th ave and 46th St. THe cars speed there like crazy since there are no lights from 39th st till 49th st. The school on 9th ave and 46th st has children coming and going every day. We need a traffic light there ASAP!
#2 obviously you dont not read real papers or watch news recent reports have indicated that traffic laws are more often then not violated by bike riders because cof these lanes putting pedestrains lives at risk and drivers as well
as to your point you have non just hot air there have been numerious complaints from ambulances and police emergency crews that these islands are causing them loss of valuable time
Where’s the proof? What’s the patient’s name? What was the condition?
The proof is in the pudding. Are we going to see the family sue the City for this un necessary death, or is the story made up. Dov fess up.
where were you all when we complaind about the bike lanes in willi? why didn’t we come out strongly and put a stop to Mr. blumberg’s rediculous changes?
I’m surprised the outcry hasn’t happened sooner. To supposedly help one small group of people you step on many more. There is no common sense in government!!
Were there double parkers on the street clogging up traffic? If so, then the double parkers are the guilty party, NOT the city. People who are too lazy to park a few blocks away and walk are the cause of most of BP’s traffic jams.
who is walking in the iddle of Fort hamilton? why?
This is part of govermnet stimulous, viz., pouring concreet and have 10 males do the job of 2 or 3. Without these interloper projects, these men would be collecting unemployment and not fantastic pension payments, while you and I go for vacations in brighton beach.
If someone was that sick in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, he would have died either way at the hands of Maimonides Emergency Room staff. He probably wouldn’t be seen for half hour and left lying in the hallway
this is funny the guy is falling asleep as he was talking with anger.
I leave on ft Hamilton and 45 its ridicules they made it into a one lane traffic there is always emergency. Trucks stuck in traffic and then when the garbage trucks clean the street then its a parking lot for 15 minutes and that’s not acceptable they should take it down..there is different ways to make thinks safety. Just use your brains
The DOT is notoreous for creating traffic hazzards throughout the city. They often poorly mark roads, make poorly designed entrances and exits to and from highways, make confusing road signs, poorly coodernate traffic lights, they design roads that often cause traffic to become clogged etc. As a driver of 40 years I could do a much better job than they can. I ride this road everyday and I was wondering who was the idot who decided to make these islands. These islands must go for public safety and better traffic flow. Dov Hikind is right!
Those devises are most probably here to stay, but these politicians are not ensured with their position,
Whoever doesn’t like the way they handle this issue can easy remove them from office, (I.e. Next election day)
My understanding from a DOT official is that a CB12 was duly notified and a Deputy Borough Commissioner made a brief presentation to the Board. The Board members present had no questions for DOT.
If this is true, the Board failed the community terribly.
These islands are sheer lunacy and other Community Boards have stood up to DOT and stopped some of them