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Transportation & Environment
Proposal by Department of Transportation to Mitigate Pedestrian Congestion on Lexington Avenue from 41st St. to 51st St.
At the regularly scheduled monthly Community Board Five meeting on Thursday, September 09, 2021, the following resolution passed with a vote of 33 in favor; 0 opposed; 1 abstaining:
WHEREAS, The New York City Department of Transportation (“DOT”) has undertaken the Vision Zero project to eliminate all deaths from traffic crashes regardless of whether on foot, bicycle or inside a motor vehicle; and
WHEREAS, As a part of the Lexington Avenue Vision Zero project, DOT has proposed a series of street treatments for blocks of Lexington from 41st St. to 43rd St., 43rd St. to 45th St., 45th St. to 47th St., 47th St. to 49th St., 49th St. to 51st St. and 51st St. to 53rd St.; and
WHEREAS, DOT installed top of the T curb extensions in 2015 and a temporary sidewalk expansion in 2020 from 42nd St. to 48th St.; and
WHEREAS, Compliance with the new roadway geometry is intermittent, additional treatments are needed to create a fully functioning project; and
WHEREAS, DOT has proposed converting one travel lane on the west side of the avenue to a painted sidewalk; and
WHEREAS, DOT has proposed painting the bus lane with red paint to improve compliance; and
WHEREAS, DOT has proposed adding curb extensions on the east side of the avenue; and
WHEREAS, DOT has proposed consolidating multiple bus stops; and
WHEREAS, DOT has agreed to return to Community Board Five at the end of the Winter 2021 to provide an update on the implementation of the treatments on the selected blocks; and
WHEREAS, DOT has conducted traffic analysis, surveys, and stakeholder outreach regarding the blocks to be redesigned; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five supports DOT’s proposed treatments to Lexington Avenue from 41st St. to 51st St.; and be it further
RESOLVED, Community Board Five requests that DOT return at the end of Winter 2021 to update Community Board Five on the progress of the proposed changes and their effects on pedestrian, bicycle, and automotive traffic, as well as on surrounding properties and blocks, and to provide an update on their engagement with impacted community members.