NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announce reconstruction of Flatbush Avenue has begun, delivering a redesign aimed at dramatically improving bus speeds and commute reliability for 132,000 daily bus riders.
“Time is money, and too often, our city has taken both from working people who rely on our buses,” Mamdani said. “These center-running bus lanes will give New Yorkers back something precious: time with their families, time at work, time in their communities. Long waits and unreliable service are not inevitable — they are the result of political choices. Today, we are choosing a system that puts bus riders first and builds safer streets for everyone.”
“It can often be as fast to walk as it is to take a bus on Flatbush Avenue — and with over 100,000 riders relying on the bus to get around, that must change. The new Flatbush Avenue offers a bold blueprint to speed up buses and deliver safer streets,” Flynn said. “We look forward to getting to work this spring, and we appreciate New Yorkers’ patience as we deliver this critical improvement for Brooklyn.”
Following extensive public outreach, NYC DOT will resume the installation of center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue, which began last fall, between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza. The redesign will serve the B41, one of Brooklyn’s busiest bus routes, as well as the B67, B69, B63, B45, and B103.
NYC DOT has seen similar designs deliver strong results elsewhere. On 161st Street in the Bronx, bus speeds increased by up to 43 percent. On Edward L. Grant Highway, pedestrian and cycling injuries decreased by 29 percent, with total injuries down 17 percent.
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The Flatbush Avenue project will also include dedicated loading zones, safety improvements, and 29,000 square feet of new pedestrian space. Construction is expected to continue into fall 2026.
NYC DOT will complete the project in four phases, while maintaining general vehicle access. Work will begin with removal of two concrete pedestrian islands, followed by reconstruction of each half of the avenue to preserve two-way traffic on one side at all times.
- Phase 1: Removal of two concrete islands at Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue
- Phase 2: Reconstruction of one side, including removal of existing roadway markings, installation of concrete elements, and the addition of temporary markings, bus stops, and reroutes
- Phase 3: Reconstruction of the opposite side
- Phase 4: Installation of final markings, signage, signals, and street elements, including bike corrals and flexible posts
