Classon Avenue Traffic Calming Project

The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has recently developed a traffic calming project for Classon Avenue in response to speeding concerns expressed by myself and other community stakeholders. The goals of the project are to discourage speeding; improve safety for motorists parking, entering and exiting vehicles; improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians; and improve traffic flow approaching Atlantic Avenue.

This project was presented to Community Boards 2, 3, 8, and 9; and DOT has received official documentation of support from boards 2, 3 and 8.

The proposed traffic calming plan involves painting parking lane lines on both sides of the street to define the parking area. Where traffic volumes are low, a single 11-foot wide center travel lane and wide parking lanes will be implemented. In busier sections, two 10-foot wide travel lanes will be marked, in addition to two 7-foot wide parking lanes. The most noticeable change will be the addition of three traffic lanes for the half-block south of Atlantic Avenue meant to allow more cars to wait for the light.

Classon Avenue will also be re-surfaced south of Atlantic Avenue, and signal timing will be adjusted to improve traffic flow. The anticipated schedule for installation of these facilities is Spring 2012.

As has been by Patch, there were 357 injuries from traffic accidents on Classon Avenue between 2005 and 2009.