Berkeley Bump Bungle?
The residents of Berkeley Place between 7th and 8th Avenues in Park Slope are beside themselves over the appearance this week of four two brand-spankin’-new speed bumps, with eight bright “BUMP” signs to match. Didn’t know there was a speeding problem on that block? Either did the folks who live there. In fact, the person…
The residents of Berkeley Place between 7th and 8th Avenues in Park Slope are beside themselves over the appearance this week of four two brand-spankin’-new speed bumps, with eight bright “BUMP” signs to match. Didn’t know there was a speeding problem on that block? Either did the folks who live there. In fact, the person who sent in this photo said she had heard that the bumps were actually supposed to go on Lincoln Place to slow traffic outside the Berkeley Carroll School but that there was some kind of mix up at DOT. Whoops. Update: A reader is claiming that there was no bungle after all and that Berkeley was the rightful recipient of both bumps.
I find it disingenuous that our neighbor says he “canvassed’ his neighbors–he did not canvas me or anyone who I know, which is more than half of the residents of the houses, and none of the folks in the condos. Anyone can say they “canvassed.” He did not send around a petition, and might I add, a ballot so that we could nominate him to be our “block representative.”
The noise of scraping (especially the trucks) on those bumps is horrible, the signs are incompatable with the historic character of our street, and if he used his clout with DOT to get bumps where we have no school (a first in Park Slope,) or the false notion that he is our block representative and we were ‘canvassed,” he can use the same clout to have it all removed.
Many streets around here function as a thoroughfares–to name just one–have you ever tried going down beautiful Third Street toward the park at rush hour?
There is one street that doesn’t not have a school (it may have a church) that has bumps but no signs, 8th st between 5th and 6th. Only the bumps are painted, with signage on them and the road.
I also live on this block of berkeley . i’m happy that someone here is paying attention to our block, but also know no one who was canvassed about whether speed bumps were a good or bad idea, and what the implications were….i think when there is a change like this there needs to be some communication with residents. this seems to have happened with just a few people’s knowledge.
i assume they are going to paint something on the bumps to make them more visible, but at this point cars don’t see the first bump at all, and don’t slow down until the second bump, then speed up noticeably after the second bump to make the light at 8th.
Thanks, Michael!
To Chuck Choi, I will be glad to contact NYCDOT about all those signs.
Hi Michael,
I live on this block, too. But no one I’ve spoken with (about half a dozen neighbors) has ever been canvassed by you. In any event, I agree about the auto speeds, but is there anything we can get DOT to do about the visual assault of the 8 yellow signs? Can you please look into this, since you initiated this action?
The bumps, by the way, aren’t going to do anything about the volume of traffic. It’s just going to slow things down. It also has created some unforeseen negative effects for some of our neighbors (john and Midge), who have to listen to trucks go over the hump all day long. Thanks.
It’s not like Brownstoner to get the story so wrong. 😉 The speed humps are no mistake; they are exactly where they should be. I canvassed the people on the block and got their support, then made a request to NYCDOT, who did a survey of traffic speeds and volume and decided that Berkeley Place was a suitable location for speed humps. CB6 thought so too. Berkeley Place has become an alternate to Union Street for motorists heading to Grand Army Plaza. Speeds in excess of 40 MPH were commonplace, and many doofuses would tear up the block to a red light at 8th Avenue. Since the humps were installed, vehicular speeds have been reduced. The idyllic scene you provided in your photo portrays a very nice block but is misleading on the volume of traffic.
Granted, there are too many signs. A single set of signs announcing “Speed humps this block” and (20 MPH) near 7th Avenue should do.
This is all about creating a safe situation and a livable street. Period. Making 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West two-way would give motorists a lot of new options to get to Grand Army Plaza, would eliminate the Union Street bottleneck, and would calm traffic all over. That’s the next step we should press NYCDOT to undertake.
I agree with Senator Street that “education is more important”. For those amazingly stupid drivers who ignore speed bump signs, having their car’s transmission pans ripped open will be a valuable educational experience. Most will not speed over a bump a second time.
I wish we could have speed bumps on my Street, even though it’s in an historic district. Apparently we cannot, due to Fire Dept. objections (their trucks use our street on the way out of the fire house around the corner on Rogers Ave.).
I meant I didn’t notice them meaning… they didn’t stick out as anything atrocious. Should all traffic signs be banned from street with automobile traffic? Seems like an odd position to take.
I agree with carfreenation above — if the “historic” look and feel is so important, then no cars (or only old-timey Model A’s) should be allowed.
tybur6 -> time for an eye exam!