Mamdani Administration Prioritizes Transit, Announces Major Street Safety Improvements in the Bronx and Brooklyn
A sweeping set of street safety and transit upgrades, including the revival of a stalled bus priority project and the completion of a crucial bike lane network, will be unveiled by the Mamdani administration this afternoon in the Bronx. The announcements signal a clear departure from previous policies and a renewed focus on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Fordham Road Bus Priority Back on Track
The long-delayed bus priority project on Fordham Road, widely considered a significant failure during the Adams administration for its impact on bus riders, is being resurrected. However, the plan has been modified to include offset bus lanes rather than the car-free busway initially advocated by activists. City Hall officials emphasized that DOT analysis indicates offset lanes will deliver the greatest improvements in bus speed and reliability. Further reporting on the specifics of this project is expected later today.
“Crashland” No More: Ashland Place Bike Lane Completion
A critical link in Brooklyn’s growing bike network will finally be completed with the restoration of the protected bike lane on Ashland Place. A single block, previously left unfinished due to pressure from Adams’s donors and his then-chief advisor Ingrid Lewis-Martin, had become a notorious danger zone. Since the project’s initial announcement, that single block experienced 23 reported crashes, resulting in injuries to nine individuals, including four cyclists and three pedestrians.
“Fixing this last block of Ashland will put in place the final missing block to create a continuous, protected bike route from Sunset Park to DUMBO, with connections all the way to Greenpoint and Queens,” a City Hall statement confirmed. The project will convert the remaining section of Ashland Place, previously known as “Crashland,” to a one-way street with a two-way protected bike lane.
Brooklyn Bike Network Expansion
The improvements don’t stop there. The Mamdani administration will also announce a comprehensive plan to build a bike lane network in Midwood, Flatbush, and East Flatbush, encompassing Brooklyn Community Boards 14 and 17. This includes:
- Protected bike lanes on Cortelyou and Dorchester roads in Ditmas Park, spanning from Coney Island Avenue to Flatbush Avenue.
- Standard bike lanes on an additional 14 streets throughout the area.
- Delayed protected bike lanes on Brooklyn and Kingston avenues, extending from East New York Avenue to Wingate Park, which will be encircled by a new protected bike lane loop.
- Conventional bike lanes along Rutland Road and Fenimore Street between Flatbush and Brooklyn avenues.
Unanswered Questions Remain Regarding Bedford Avenue
Despite the positive developments, the Mamdani administration has yet to address the removal of three blocks of protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue, a decision made by Mayor Adams at the request of religious leaders in Williamsburg. Reporters are expected to press for answers on this matter.
The full details of these initiatives are available on the regularly updated [Mamdani tracker](link to tracker).
Other News
In other developments, the Trump administration was recently ordered to provide funding previously withheld for the Gateway Project (amNY, NYDN). Additionally, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman continues to advocate for the elimination of congestion pricing (News12). Finally, Council Member Chi Ossé has joined the viral campaign led by “Jimmy and the Jaywalkers,” creating a video parody about local issues.
Council Member Chi Ossé shared his video on social media: https://www.example.com/ossecampaignvideo.
The administration’s commitment to these projects represents a significant shift in priorities, promising a safer and more efficient transportation network for New Yorkers.
