On Tuesday, May 20, the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) invited the community to hear more about the B82 Select Bus Service reconstruction project (dubbed HWK100SBS Reconstruction of Southern Brooklyn Crosstown B82 Select Bus Service) currently taking place along Kings Highway from Ocean Avenue to Avenue K.
The meeting was held at K’hal Zichron Mordechai and included representatives from Community Board 18, NYC DDC, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority. Representatives of Councilmember Farah Louis and Assemblymembers Mercedes Narcisse and Kalman Yeger’s offices were also in attendance.
The controversial project, being touted by the City as a win for safer streets, reduced travel time, and ADA accessibility, includes reducing bus stops, widening pedestrian islands, and adding more traffic lights. Also as part of the project, a 100-year-old combined sewer system on New York Avenue and East 32nd Street is being replaced. Residents can expect to notice stored construction materials, street closures, and parking disruptions while the work is being completed.
In the Kings Highway segment between Avenue K and Ocean Avenue, changes include installation of ADA-compliant sidewalks and bus stops, upgraded traffic signals, new drainage systems, and improved medians and roadway conditions. According to the DDC, these upgrades are essential to addressing long-standing issues in the corridor and to advancing the goals of Vision Zero – reducing crashes, improving public transit efficiency, and making the streets safer for all users.
Yet locals are not necessarily embracing the revamp. At the meeting, neighborhood residents made their displeasure with the project known. “Is the City going to pay for hotels for us?” asked one resident. One attendee complained about the reduction in bus stops, while another asked why all of the construction materials seemed to be stored in front of their building. When asked if the project was open to public input before it was finalized, Community Construction Liaison Joanna Rojas said that it had. At this point, however, the City says the project has been finalized and cannot be changed.
Residents raised concern about emergency vehicle access and parking, as well as noise and tremors from the construction. Rojas stated that community members should document their complaints so they can be relayed to city officials.
The work is being done in parts to avoid as much traffic disruption as possible. Among the plans for the project are raised sidewalk curbs to discourage people from parking on them, sloped curb cuts, and tactile warning strips. Rojas stated that materials are stored on site to save time.
While recognizing the disruptions to day-to-day life caused by the project, Rojas assured attendees that it was carefully planned to maintain safety, improve efficiency, and minimize overall project duration. She said the project is running ahead of schedule and is expected to be completed by the end of this summer, three years ahead of the Summer 2028 scheduled completion date.
She noted that holding this meeting was not required of the City but was offered to allow residents to provide their input on the project and better understand the plans. The DDC hopes to schedule another such meeting in the future.
Rojas thanked the community for its patience and understanding as work continues. Members of the public can sign up for updates on the project, including weekly “Look Ahead” emails, by emailing her at BKCrosstownSBSCCL@gmail.com, and can find more information at https://www.nyc.gov/site/ddc/index.page. In addition, residents can call 311 with complaints or requests (such as for gates around trees) or contact their local City Council member’s office. Rojas can be reached at (516) 615-7094. Materials relating to the project, including maps, pictures and statistics, are available upon request.
“Unless we are made aware of an issue, we cannot resolve it,” she said. “Your feedback is essential. Our goal is not just to complete the project but to do so in a way that meets the needs of this community.”
