This intersection is at the border of several neighborhoods, but because I live in PH, I have decided to start this conversation on the PH board.
P.S. The yellow storage building now looks completely different under its new owners.
YES. Hoping this sails through...
I hope this passes too. I think that intersection is terrifying.
I am told it was approved. 
...hopefully DOT will begin construction soon
for more info:
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2011/02/more_details_on_7.php
The full plan includes a bike lane for Washington modeled on 5th Av PS (reducing traffic to 1 lane each way), changes at Grand/Park, and retiming the lights so they turn over faster, slowing traffic. It appears to be going ahead asap.
doctorj said:
The full plan includes a bike lane for Washington modeled on 5th Av PS (reducing traffic to 1 lane each way), changes at Grand/Park, and retiming the lights so they turn over faster, slowing traffic. It appears to be going ahead asap.
Good. The current two skinny lanes in each direction are a joke - they seem to encourage 'heroic' passing attempts at the intersections, where the drivers have 100 some odd feet (including the bus stops) to swing a little wider... the only problem is that pedestrians are usually clustered there, waiting to cross, and the close calls are all too frequent.
I wonder which way Washington will run....
toward Atlantic
OR
toward EP
??
If its modeled after 5th, the bike lane will be two way but its not a protected or even delineated lane, just a very wide one lane in each direction.
1.5 car lanes will turn into 1 car lane and 1 bike lane, unprotected, in each direction, clearly marked and striped. Not ideal for cycling, but the evidence is pretty compelling that even an unprotected bike lane would reduce confusion, slow traffic without too much effect on throughput, improve protection for pedestrians, cut down on double parking...
DOT is to begin construction this summer
Confirmed: overwhelming support for the bike lane, as well as some of the pedestrian improvements. Remaining controversy surrounds losing of parking spots and loading zones near Wash/Grand/Park. Mayday Hardware is the most vocal opponent of this aspect.
From http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2011/04/washington_ave_2.php
Brownstoner » Last night the DOT presented plans to CB8's Transportation Committee for revamping Washington Avenue from Atlantic to Eastern Parkway that include new street striping and bike lanes. The DOT plans to add a landscaped sidewalk extension and a safety island to the Park and Grand intersection—which the board has already approved—as well as shortened bus stops, which will add a few parking spaces to the thoroughfare; nine new loading zones, which will subtract at least 40 parking spots; new and standardized muni meters; new signal timing; and a street-striping plan. The street striping will be much like Park Slope's Fifth Avenue, and include five-foot bike lanes on both sides of the avenue. The discussion from board members and residents did not center around bike lanes as much as it did parking. Many voiced concern over the spots that will be lost, and requested that alternate-side parking be suspended two days a week. The Transportation Committee approved the proposal and and the motion will move on to the full board on May 12th. You can see a detailed presentation of DOT's proposal on the department's website. All of the improvements presented last night come in addition to the plans CB8 has already OK'd for the Washington/Atlantic intersection.
Bike lanes are painted on Washington!
this weekend, I saw them painting the outlines for the new pedestrian island near the Detective Castle.
Detective Castle is a perfect name for it!
I am happy that the pedestrian island was built so that the cops at the Detective Castle have a place to park their SUVs. There were only 2 parked there tonight. I think it could easily hold at least 4. Don't want our heroes to get any undue exercise by parking more than 20 feet from their place of work.
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