Cyclists irked by disrupted bike lane near towering Williamsburg development
The project, still years from completion, has temporarily disrupted a dedicated bike lane, forcing some riders into the street to continue their route.
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A towering new development is taking shape near the iconic Domino sugar refinery in Williamsburg – but not everyone is celebrating the progress.
Cyclists along Kent Avenue say the construction of a 36-story residential tower, set to bring 70,000-square-feet of space for potential jobs in the light industrial and manufacturing fields, is creating a potential traffic hazard along one of Brooklyn’s busiest bike paths.
"Sadly, I'm sort of used to New York City not being very bike-friendly, so this kind of feels like more of the same,” said cyclist Andrew Devlin. “I hope they clean it up soon."
The project, still years from completion, has temporarily disrupted a dedicated bike lane, forcing some riders into the street to continue their route.
“With the construction, we do have to intermingle with the cars in the street,” said cyclist Jordan Rodriguez. “It's not as nice as having a bike path the entire way.”
In response to safety concerns, traffic controllers, also known as flaggers, have been stationed at both ends of the site to help guide cyclists and pedestrians safely around the area.
"The guy with the flag, he seemed competent,” said cyclist Achim Brandt. “And the other guy stopped the traffic there, so it wasn't too bad!”
The Department of Transportation says it is working with the contractor to ensure cyclist and pedestrian safety while maintaining traffic flow. The agency says signage will be posted during temporary bike lane closures and that a traffic management plan is in place.
