To The Editor:
I had the occasion to be in Downtown Brooklyn, recently, for the first time in a while, and noticed that traffic on Joralemon Street was at an absolute halt for at least 10 minutes with about seven buses on the block.
I had never seen it that bad. But then I read your article, how DOT is running a six-month test to ban cars from turning off Tillary Street at Adams Street.
I remember when the function of DOT used to be to move traffic more speedily. Their goal now appears to be how can we screw up things so nobody will be able to get anywhere? This is due to the power of the bicycle lobby and our ‘friends’ at Transportation Alternatives who believe the way to cure our transportation problems is to force everyone to ride bicycles or walk and make it as inconvenient as possible to drive anywhere, as is evidenced by your quote from Paul Steeley White, its director.
Their logic is so misguided, that I won’t even attempt to discuss it.
Let it just be said that this test is not only apparently making it impossible to get around in Downtown Brooklyn by auto, but by bus also since about a dozen bus routes use Joralemon and Adams Streets. Bus service is not only delayed in Downtown Brooklyn by delays on these streets, but throughout the borough since these routes radiate out from there to many different neighborhoods.
The DOT needs to return to its mission of moving traffic, not stopping it, and then the City wants to charge us for congestion that it creates.
Allan Rosen
Manhattan Beach
