The city Department of Transportation says it’s proceeding with a scaled-back set of street safety improvements to McGuinness Boulevard following months of controversy and opposition from some local businesses.
Under the new plan, the dangerous thoroughfare will have a bike lane in each direction, as well as one lane of traffic from Meeker Avenue to Calyer Street. From Calyer Street to the Pulaski Bridge there will be a bike lane in each direction and two lanes of traffic from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Outside of those hours, one traffic lane will become parking.
The Department of Transportation said the bike lane will be protected by a mix of barriers and flexible delineators that still allow drivers to access the curb.
The previous plan included protected bike lanes to Meeker Avenue.
“Too many New Yorkers have been injured or lost their lives on McGuinness Boulevard, and the city has made significant safety improvements in recent years – both under the Adams administration and with Mayor [Eric] Adams’ support when he was borough president. This project will calm traffic, create protected bike lanes, and better accommodate everyone traveling through this neighborhood,” mayoral spokesperson Charles Lutvak said in a statement. “The Adams administration has continuously listened to members of this community and updated our design accordingly.”
Construction on the project will begin in early September before the start of school, the transportation department said.
The previous plan generated intense opposition led by a group called “Keep McGuinness Moving,” which argued that the street safety improvements would result in job losses.
The news website The City reported in June that the opposition group was being led by the owners of the Broadway Stages film production company, whose headquarters are nearby. The owners of Broadway Stages have donated to Adams. Emails to Broadway Stages weren’t returned.
Streetsblog then reported that Adams’ top adviser Ingrid…
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