'It's become a nightmare.' Traffic chaos ensues on McGuinness Boulevard after lane redesign
Cars driving in the bike lane, gridlock and traffic backed up for miles along McGuinness Boulevard have become the new normal for neighbors in Brooklyn.
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Traffic chaos has become the new normal for residents in Brooklyn following the McGuinness Boulevard redesign plan.
Exclusive video obtained by News 12 shows fire trucks being unable to get to an emergency, as an MTA bus blocks the intersection and cars then drive into the bike lane to make their way across McGuinness Boulevard to the Pulaski Bridge.
The honking and backup has become a daily issue after the city's McGuinness Boulevard redesign plan made two car lanes into one car lane, a bike lane and a parking lane.
Often at the intersection of Green Street, cars try to double-park behind the single parking space, causing issues for the MTA bus route.
"The bus can't make that turn. The radius is too short," said Greenpoint resident Christina Marcisak. "So then they get stuck. Traffic is coming from McGuiness, backing up and cyclists will go by that. No cars can get through from either direction. “
“Cars are circumnavigating this little parking spot, going on the bike lane," said Greenpoint resident Marcin Olechowski. "Cyclists aren't cycling on the bike lane. They're going on the sidewalk or on the street. And frankly, I think it's become a nightmare.”
It's also impacting nearby businesses, including Casanova Pizzeria & Restaurant, which sits on the corner of Green Street and McGuinness Boulevard.
“If people want to dine in here, the person who's driving has to go look for parking," said Christopher Grillo, an employee at Casanova. "And it takes about 10, 15 minutes for them.”
The goal of the redesign was to create “parking-protected bike lanes." The city said this would improve safety. Though residents say they are unsure they’re seeing those results.
"I think that the one-lane McGuinness was good in theory," Olechowski said. "But in reality, it's creating even more danger for cyclists."
“I feel like it wasn't thought through," Marcisak said. "We're taking away a lane, but how are we going to make sure it's still safe and usable for all the cars that go by?”
A source with the city's Department of Transportation tells News 12 that they are working with the NYPD on its enforcement in known trouble spots for double parking and blocking bike lanes.
