Lawmakers need MTA to raised handle site visitors throughout Verrazzano shutdowns

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Two southern Brooklyn politicians demanded Friday that the MTA higher handle the site visitors that floods their neighborhoods when excessive winds shut down the higher span of the Verrazzano Bridge.

Senator Andrew Gounardes and Metropolis Councilman Justin Brannan, each Democrats, issued the decision after vehicles and vehicles swamped the streets of Bay Ridge throughout Tuesday’s monster storm, which pressured the closure.

“There may be simply no plan in place when that bridge will get closed. We consider that’s irresponsible to shut the bridge down with out a clear contingency plan,” Brannan mentioned at a press convention.

“You attempt to create a protected state of affairs by not permitting vehicles on the bridge when there’s excessive winds, which we wish,” he added. “However, in flip, you’re making a harmful state of affairs by creating gridlock site visitors.”

Councilman Justin Brannan, seen here at a hearing at City Hall, was among the southern Brooklyn politicians demanding the MTA come up with a plan to better manage traffic in Bay Ridge during closures of the Verrazzano Bridge. — Councilman Justin Brannan, seen right here at a listening to at Metropolis Corridor, was among the many southern Brooklyn politicians demanding the MTA give you a plan to handle site visitors in Bay Ridge throughout closures of the Verrazzano Bridge. Gregory P. Mango

Stats for the way usually excessive winds and poor climate power the closure of the bridge or the company to ban vehicles and different massive automobiles weren’t instantly obtainable.

The double-decker is likely one of the longest suspension bridges on the planet and its decks are greater than 200 toes above the water, making vehicles and vehicles crossing it vulnerable to robust winds howling by means of the narrows.

The MTA was criticized in 2020 for failing to shut the bridge shortly sufficient as Tropical Storm Isaias approached, main to 5 trailer vehicles flipping over on the span.

The massive Verrazzano Bridge, as seen during a sunset in 2017. — The large Verrazzano Bridge, as seen throughout a sundown in 2017. Paul Martinka

An MTA spokeswoman mentioned that managing site visitors on metropolis streets was the accountability of the town’s Police Division and Division of Transportation and added the transit company notifies each earlier than the bridge is closed or site visitors is restricted.

DOT referred inquiries to the NYPD, which didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

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