A plan by the city's Department of Transportation to change a single street in Brooklyn is now causing a major stir in the community, News 12 reported. At the center of the debate is Woodhull Street, where a proposal aimed at improving safety has divided neighbors who disagree over whether the changes would help the area or create new problems of their own.
According to the report, the Department of Transportation is moving to reverse the direction of Woodhull Street, citing safety concerns along the corridor. The proposed reversal sits near a busy tunnel entrance, a location where the flow of vehicles has become a point of contention as officials weigh how best to manage traffic in the neighborhood.
The DOT says the plan is designed to improve safety by curbing speeding and weaving on the street. To do that, the proposal calls for a new traffic signal, additional crosswalks and curb extensions, measures intended to slow vehicles down and make the street easier and safer for pedestrians to navigate as they move through the area.
Not everyone in the neighborhood is convinced the changes would have the intended effect. Some neighbors worry that the plan could actually increase traffic, while also limiting parking and community space. There is concern that redirecting vehicles could make an already crowded intersection feel even more congested and more industrial in character.
For some residents, the biggest fear is safety in a different form. They worry that more cut-through traffic could put children at risk, pointing to a park and a school located right in the area. One neighbor told News 12 that with constant car traffic already, the changes would simply mean more vehicles and more problems on the block.
The opposition has already begun to organize. One neighbor started a petition to halt the plan and, according to the report, is already halfway to his signature goal. The effort reflects the strength of feeling among some residents who want the proposal reconsidered before any changes are put in place on the street.
For now, the plan remains under review. The DOT says it will continue to evaluate potential improvements to bring back to the community, leaving room for the proposal to be adjusted. The conversation is set to continue on June 10th, when residents can share their thoughts at a Community Board 6 town hall meeting.