Flatbush Avenue will see major road work commence this fall-here's what Brooklyn drivers and bikers need to know

"Starting this fall, the Department of Transportation will begin tearing into Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza to install center-running bus lanes, a project designed to give bus riders "train-like" service while unclogging one of the borough's most infamous traffic jams. If you're a bus commuter, rejoice: The redesign promises to shave precious minutes off trips on the B41 and 11 other routes that creep down Flatbush at a walking pace of under 4 mph during rush hour."

"If you're a driver, brace yourself: Two car lanes are disappearing, and construction is slated to stretch through fall 2026. In the end, six hefty concrete boarding islands will sprout in the middle of the avenue, separating buses from general traffic. More than 14,000 square feet of fresh pedestrian space will shorten dangerous crossings, while 11 new loading zones aim to keep delivery trucks from double-parking in travel lanes."

"According to DOT data, 140 people have been killed or seriously injured on Flatbush Avenue in the past five years, making it one of Brooklyn's deadliest stretches. Officials say the new design will slow cars, protect pedestrians and keep cyclists out of the crosshairs, all while moving far more people, far more efficiently. Of course, this isn't Brooklyn's first brush with bus-lane politics."

The Department of Transportation will begin reconstructing Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza starting this fall, installing center-running bus lanes intended to provide faster, train-like service for the B41 and 11 other routes. Two car lanes will be removed and construction will continue through fall 2026, creating interim detours and traffic disruptions. The redesign includes six concrete boarding islands, over 14,000 square feet of new pedestrian space, 11 loading zones to deter double-parking, and up to 14 bike parking zones. DOT data shows 140 people were killed or seriously injured on the corridor in five years, and the plan aims to slow cars and protect pedestrians and cyclists while moving more people efficiently.

Read at Time Out New York