After the big showdown at last month’s community meeting at the Navy Yard Houses, it was very surprising to see that, outside of the Navy Yard, no one from the Wallabout community showed up for round two. Although it was a less confrontational meeting, the cyclists won the numbers game this time.

In response to the community opposition to the originally proposed changes to Flushing Avenue, Ted Wright, of the Department of Transportation (DOT), outlined a revised plan at last night’s Community Board 2 (CB2) Transportation and Public Safety Committee meeting. The revised plan will happen in two phases: 1) east of Washington Avenue; 2) west of Washington Avenue.

Both phases will retain the existing eastbound and westbound vehicular traffic. However, instead of a single protected two-way bike lane on the north-side of the street, phase 2 will have a westbound curbside bike lane on the north-side and an eastbound buffered bike lane on the south-side.  One lane of parking will be eliminated, as well as the Ryerson Street westbound bus stop.

There is still some opposition to the planned Greenway Capital Project (2-4yrs) which will include the buffered two-way curbside bike lane on the north side of Flushing, but will leave enough room on the south-side to accommodate an unprotected bike lane (also in phase 1). John Dew, Chairperson of CB2, said this seems counterintuitive to the safety reasons outlined for creating a protected bike lane on the north side of the street. The Greenway Capital Project will also see the addition of an extended sidewalk, raised bike lane, more pedestrian space, turn bays, and the planting of refuge islands.

All in attendance, including representatives of CB2, the Navy Yard, Steiner Studio and Transportation Alternatives, support phase 1 and 2 of the project. However, many feel additional information is needed before fully supporting the Capital Project.

The DOT also presented their proposal for an extension of the Vanderbilt bike lane from Dean Street to Flushing Avenue. Work on the extension will start this summer.