One of the city's most iconic bridges could get a makeover to ease the congestion caused by the thousands of cyclists and pedestrians who use it every day. NY1's Michael Scotto has the details.
These days, the Brooklyn Bridge promenade feels more like an obstacle course than a leisurely walkway, according to people we talked to.
"It's overly crowded," said one.
"It's terrible how crowded it is," said another.
Each weekday, some 10,000 pedestrians and 3,500 cyclists travel across the 133-year-old span.
Factor in all vendors selling knick-knacks to tourists, and the result is what the city's transportation department calls 'Times Square in the Sky.'
"The bridge right now, it's width is between 10 and 17 feet, which is pretty narrow, given the incredible volume of activity we're seeing there," said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg.
So the city is spending $370,000 on a study to determine whether the bridge can carry more foot and bicycle traffic. One idea is expanding the existing promenade by building platforms over the roadways.
Currently, pedestrians and cyclists are supposed to stick to their own lanes, but they often mix during the most crowded times of the day on the promenade.
The NYPD says there were just three pedestrian injuries on the bridge last year. But that doesn't include the countless close-calls between cyclists and people out for a stroll.
"If I'm walking with him, the cyclists sometimes to get around each other through the pedestrian lane and that can be dangerous when you're traveling with a little kid," said one.
"It works remarkably well given the demands on it," said another. "If it were widened it would be even more spectacular."
The city says whatever is decided will take time to implement.
"It's a 133-year-old bridge, so anytime we touch it, it tends to be complicated and costly," Trottenberg said.
The study is expected to be completed sometime next year. The city will then decide based on the results how to make the experience on the bridge more enjoyable and safer.