Back in December, we noted a campaign launched by Lower East Side resident William Mojica to improve safety at the intersection of Delancey and Pitt streets. In response to a request by a group he helped to mobilize, Community Board 3 asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to look at “traffic calming” measures in the area. This afternoon, we hear from State Sen. Daniel Squadron’s office that the DOT has agreed to add a stop sign to westbound Delancey Street at Pitt, making the intersection an “all-way stop.” Other potential safety improvements will be presented to the board during the summer.
A resolution approved by CB3 suggested several possible safety measures, including: “traffic control signals, right turn only lanes, sufficient lighting under the Williamsburg Bridge and a pedestrian refuge island.” The letter to Squadron from DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg indicated that the other traffic calming steps will be “similar to those requested by the board.”
Mojica got his campaign rolling in an October 2013 call to Squadron’s office. He then began reaching out to local schools and non-profit organizations for support, as well as to other elected officials. It took seven months, and implementation is still at least a few months in the future. But sometimes you’ve got to celebrate those small victories!
Great job William, for real. This intersection has always been a death walk and couldn’t imagine why anything wasn’t done to it given that the police station was RIGHT there and no doubt saw the confusion every time they pull out. Cars FLY down Delancey and the cars at the stop sign often get caught off guard. Well needed.