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Transportation & Environment
Request on behalf of New York City Department of Transportation (“DOT”) for Pedestrian Safety Improvements on West Side of Lexington Ave between 42nd and 45th Sts
At the monthly meeting of Community Board Five on Thursday, October 09, 2014, the Board passed the following resolution with a vote of 36 in favor; 0 opposed; 2 abstaining:
WHEREAS, The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposing two painted "neckdowns," adding sidewalk areas that would jut into the west side of the street on Lexington Avenue at East 43rd and East 44th Streets, thereby enlarging the sidewalk and shortening the crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, The DOT also proposes to add a new right-turn only lane on Lexington Avenue at East 42nd Street; and
WHEREAS, The DOT also proposes to remove the "Bus Only" lane on Lexington Avenue between East 44th and East 42nd Streets; and
WHEREAS, The goal of DOT's proposed changes is to improve pedestrian and traffic safety in this 3-block stretch of Lexington Ave., that ranks among the top 10% high-crash corridors in Manhattan, with a total of 24 injuries in the preceding 5 years (2008-2013); and
WHEREAS, The proposal was developed in response to discussions related to the proposed re-zoning of East Mid-town, and represents a heartening reaction to community concerns about the safety of Lexington Avenue's 10-feet wide sidewalks and heavy pedestrian flow at Grand Central's entrances; and
WHEREAS, The proposed changes are provisional in nature, entailing painted and/or textured surfaces and planters that will be maintained by the Grand Central Partnership; and
WHEREAS, The proposal takes its cues from pedestrians' current use of these spaces while improving safety; and
WHEREAS, Heavy right-turning traffic at 42nd Street is currently obstructing the bus only lane; and
WHEREAS, The bus only lane is currently being used as a pick-up and drop-off lane for travelers to and from Grand Central; and
WHEREAS, No bus stops will be removed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five recommends approval from the DOT for Pedestrian Safety Improvements on West Side of Lexington Ave between 42nd and 45th Streets.