Councilman David G. Greenfield is urging the Department of Transportation to install a stoplight or a stop sign in the vicinity of 18th Avenue and 56th Street in Brooklyn, a pedestrian-heavy area that too often sees cars passing through at dangerously high rates of speed.

“The area around 18th Avenue and 56th Street is the most significant safety hazard in my district,” Greenfield said. “My office gets calls from worried parents about this issue nearly every week. Now that my $7.25 million in brand new renovations to the 18th Avenue Park are complete, thousands of children will be visiting the park and crossing that intersection every week.”

With hundreds of children and their families crossing the street on a daily basis en route to and from the park, Greenfield said that it is more important now than ever to install appropriate safety measures.

At a meeting earlier this month, Greenfield urged Brooklyn Transportation Commissioner Keith Bray, Deputy Commissioner Claudette Workman, Brooklyn Community Coordinator Leroy Branch Jr. and Director of Traffic Engineering and Safety Linda Stuurman to take swift action on this clear safety risk.

Commissioner Bray promised Greenfield that he would engage in a safety review, consider the installation of traffic controls and increase the visibility of pedestrians through the creation of an enhanced crosswalk. The group had a productive discussion, and Greenfield said he is confident that the DOT now understands and shares his concerns. However, he is urging the agency not to needlessly delay the installation of appropriate safety measures.

“We can’t wait for an accident to happen,” Greenfield said. “That’s why I went down to the Department of Transportation’s office to personally meet with the Commissioner to make sure this gets resolved.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)