Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, NYC Department of Transportation crews are dispatched throughout the City to resurface roads. Closures can have a serious impact on daytime traffic and last for several weeks. For ambulance drivers, police officers, and firefighters, every second counts when they are responding to an emergency. Councilman Deutsch’s bill will mandate the New York City Department of Transportation to notify emergency providers in advance of roadway milling and paving. This will give these first responders prior notice of traffic diversions, ensuring that they are not held up because of an unanticipated closure.

Street milling and paving can also impede the travels of residents in surrounding areas. For this reason, Councilman Deutsch has worked closely with the NYC Department of Transportation to schedule this street work during the summer months or overnight hours to minimize the effect on traffic. Deutsch is also in the process of drafting a bill in the New York City Council that would require the suspension of alternate side parking within a five block radius of street repaving. Parking spots are already extremely limited in Brooklyn, and construction reduces that availability further.

Deutsch’s first responder notification bill requires advance warning five days before work will commence on roads. “During the summer months, many streets in my district were repaved, making smoother, safer roads for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch. “While this important work is being done, it’s also imperative that the critical job of emergency responders is not impaired. My bill will ensure that the FDNY and the NYPD are provided the information that they need in order to plan ahead when traffic conditions are altered temporarily in their community. Lives depend on these first responders having a better notification process.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)