Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #16-030
Scott Gastel/Jack Jablkowski – DOT (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT to Begin Milling and Paving Prospect Park’s West Drive
Weather permitting, sections of the roadway will be closed for two weeks beginning Monday, March 28, 2016 Road will be paved for the first time in a dozen years, and include new markings guiding cyclists and pedestrians, bringing a safer roadway for all usersThe New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) announced it will commence daytime milling and resurfacing work of the two-mile West Drive inside Prospect Park beginning Monday, March 28. In total, seven lane miles of roadway will be repaved, stretching from Grand Army Plaza to Park Circle (Prospect Park SW/Parkside Avenue/Coney Island Avenue), will be completed on or around Friday, April 8, weather permitting. During this time cyclists and pedestrians are asked to take alternative routes outside the park.
DOT is working closely with NYC Parks and Prospect Park Alliance, the non-profit that partners with the City of New York to ensure the ongoing care and long-term stewardship of the Park. Four variable message boards will be placed at park entrances, alerting roadway users of the work and closures. The work will be performed in segments, bringing closures as work proceeds.
“I am thrilled to announce that DOT will be resurfacing, restriping and making necessary safety improvements to Prospect Park’s West Drive,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “I ask my fellow Brooklynites for their patience over the next two weeks while our work crews get the job done. Once their critical work is finished, I look forward to seeing you there every other day as I myself gasp for air jogging the loop.”
“The Prospect Park Alliance applauds DOT for making this project a priority,” said Sue Donoghue, Alliance president and Prospect Park administrator. “The West Drive is a popular destination for many park users, and the community is very supportive of its repaving. This important work will ensure that the Park Drive is safe and usable for pedestrians, runners and cyclists for years to come.”
”Park loops and smooth pathways, safe spaces and happy faces: that's the way we like to roll,” said Karen Overton, Executive Director of Recycle-A-Bicycle. “Recycle-A-Bicycle gets youth rolling on bikes via after-school youth bike clubs funded through the DOT's Bike to School Program and Kids Ride Club sponsored by Woodhull Hospital and New York Cycle Club. Safety is our key concern. Thanks to the resurfacing project in Prospect Park this spring, we will be enjoying prime cycling time.”
“This is great news; I ride through the Park every day. It is the best part of my daily commute,” said Charlie McCorkell, founder and owner of Bicycle Habitat. “The touch up paving a few months was greatly appreciated; a repave will make it awesome. There are too many cracks and fissures keeping riders focused on the road, this will make a better ride and will make the park much safer for all users.”
“We at Redbeard Bikes are excited that the West Drive of Prospect Park is about to be freshly paved! The Park has been called the crown jewel of Brooklyn, and in fact it's an oasis for cyclists,” said Kasia Nikhamina of Redbeard Bikes. “Even as the city expands bike infrastructure and makes the streets safer for everyone, the Park is still our refuge from cars. So, it's wonderful that we will have a smooth surface to ride on there. Many thanks to the DOT for the quick response on this!”
"Congratulations and thank you to DOT for the resurfacing of the Prospect Park loop which will help create safer conditions and benefit all park users," said Ken Hochman, founder of Deno's Wonder Wheel Cycling Team.
The West Drive has been closed to motor vehicle traffic since last summer. For a regular on-street road resurface, the typical period of time between the milling process (the removal of the road’s top layer of asphalt in preparation for paving) and the start of actual resurfacing process could last several weeks, allowing utilities access to the opened road surface. However, this procedure may differ on highways and inside parks. The West Drive is being addressed by DOT in the most expeditious manner possible, acknowledging the heavy use of the road by cyclists and others.
The public is encouraged to stay up to date with the milling/paving schedule by checking this link on the NYC DOT website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/motorist/resurfintro.shtml.
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