Avenue B narrowed to one traffic lane along three open street blocks after DOT redesign

The city Department of Transportation (DOT) celebrated on Tuesday the completion of numerous upgrades to the Avenue B Open Street, running several blocks through the heart of Manhattan's Alphabet City. The redesign, which DOT started in late June, included making the street one-way for vehicular traffic along three blocks of Avenue B, allowing for two-way bike traffic on that stretch, and adding safety elements to several of the road's intersections. Together, the upgrades are meant to make the narrow street safer for pedestrians and cyclists alike by slowing and reducing vehicle traffic, DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said. "These improvements mean less traffic, safer crossings, and more space for people to walk, bike, and truly enjoy their neighborhood," Flynn said during an Oct. 13 ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Our streets are more than just for the movement and storage of cars; our streets are public spaces for everyone to share," he added. Under the redesign, the agency transformed