Our design strives to create a healthy, sustainable and safe environment, dynamically balancing the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, mass transit and car and truck traffic at this vital artery in Brooklyn.

From our observations, we concluded that the unregulated turning movements at the 4th Avenue/9th Street intersection are the primary cause of pedestrian and cyclist safety issues and traffic congestion locally and with cascading effect to a broader area. Our team has redesigned the intersection with dramatic urban design features and a new traffic pattern to allow all forms of transportation to flow efficiently.

Our design features a protected center bike lane on 9th Street. The design includes bike boxes at all intersections to permit cyclists to safely enter or leave the bike lane which will be separated from vehicular traffic with low-profile barriers on either side. The bike boxes, like the bike lane will be green in color, include street markings right in front of the intersection, clearly making the cyclist in plain sight to approaching vehicles.

Much of the congestion on 4th Avenue can be attributed to cars queuing to turn left, thus blocking the left through lane. This design eliminates left turns onto 4th Avenue from 9th Street in either direction. This allows for the creation of the bike lane while also reducing congestion on 9th Street. We anticipate that the elimination of left turns from 9th Street will result in some of the traffic diverting to other intersections in the area. By eliminating left turns onto 4th Avenue, cyclists will be able to flow with traffic through the intersection.

This design incorporates a dedicated left-turn-only lane, in each direction, utilizing the previous left through lane. Turns from these lanes will be allowed only on a green arrow. We recognize that creating the left turn lanes may result in some initial delays for through-traffic, but we believe these delays will dissipate as drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern. The new dedicated left turn lane will result in larger pedestrian islands after the old left turn cutouts are filled in.

The design features curb bulbs, an extension of the sidewalk to the limits of the parking lane, at all four corners of the intersection to decrease the distance pedestrians are required to cross. The curb bulbs will serve to protect pedestrians as it gives them better visibility of oncoming traffic.

Bus safety and mobility will be improved by strategically relocating bus stops beyond traffic lights so that buses can safely pull back into traffic.

This design incorporates crosswalk countdown timers and the placement of speed monitors. These modern design elements will enhance the safety of all modes of travel and quality of life in the area. Additionally, the increased flow of traffic will decrease congestion-related emissions improving air quality.

We are introducing eco-friendly elements with planters on sidewalks along 4th Avenue where practical, which will deter pedestrians from crossing outside the crosswalk areas. Our eco-friendly design components also include solar powered street lamps.