Photo Courtesy of Google
On Jamaica Avenue, the busway pilot will begin at Sutphin Boulevard and extend to 168th Street in both directions.
By Forum Staff
The City Department of Transportation has begun work to install busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues, as part of the de Blasio administration’s Better Buses commitment to install new and improved bus lanes later this year.
The two miles of busway coming to Jamaica and Archer avenues will improve bus speeds in the busiest bus hub in the five boroughs, where more than 45 New York City Transit, MTA Bus, and Nassau Inter-County Express bus routes connect to the E, J, and Z subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road. Due to traffic congestion, buses along Archer Avenue currently have average speeds of 5.7 to 6.1 mph during the afternoon rush, with speeds of only 4.7 to 4.9 mph on Jamaica Avenue.
Photo Courtesy of Google
On Jamaica Avenue, the busway pilot will begin at Sutphin Boulevard and extend to 168th Street in both directions.
On Archer Avenue, the eastbound busway will begin at 150th Street and extend to 160th Street, with the following elements:
- Double bus lanes eastbound from 150th Street to 160th Street, with no trucks in bus lanes
- No curbside access between 150th Street and 160th Street for any vehicle except buses
- Eastbound traffic restriction from 153rd Street to 160th Street (all Archer Avenue eastbound traffic must turn left on 153rd Street)
- Jersey barriers installed to prevent illegal vans from entering busway
- Busway regulations are proposed for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
On Jamaica Avenue, the busway pilot will begin at Sutphin Boulevard and extend to 168th Street in both directions, with the following changes:
- Buses and commercial trucks will have local and thru access
- Passenger vehicles will be able to access most blocks, but would have to make the next right turn
- New parking, loading, and pedestrian space where curbside bus lanes are removed
- Busway regulations are proposed for 24 hours a day, seven days a week
The City expects to complete the installation this fall.
