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Neighbors ask DOT to study left‑turn signal at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue to ease pedestrian crossings near new subway elevator
Summary
A resident requested a DOT study on July 29 to add a left‑turn signal (and associated pedestrian/bike signaling) at Spring Street and Sixth Avenue after increased foot traffic around a new MTA elevator and changing neighborhood uses.
A resident asked Community Board 2 on July 29 to request a Department of Transportation study into adding a dedicated left‑turn signal at the intersection of Spring Street and Sixth Avenue, citing rising pedestrian volumes tied to new local development and a nearby subway elevator under construction.
Sylvia Beam, a neighborhood resident, told the committee that pedestrian traffic at the intersection has increased as new businesses and an MTA elevator entrance have opened near the corner, and that vehicles turning from Spring onto Sixth were creating long backups and pedestrian conflicts. "Cars coming down will make a left onto Spring ... making it more and more difficult for pedestrians to cross the street," she said.
DOT procedure and concerns
Kate Sher, a DOT staffer on the call, said any change such as a dedicated left‑turn arrow requires a signals engineering study that will examine vehicle and pedestrian volumes, signal timing and bicycle interactions. Committee members and DOT staff noted the intersection carries an east‑west bike lane and that any left‑turn control must account for bikes crossing or turning.
"We have a dedicated signals engineering team that will study it," Sher said. "They'll look at existing conditions, timings, vehicle and pedestrian volumes and propose scenarios about how a left signal may impact traffic and safety."
Local considerations raised
Speakers asked DOT to avoid shortening pedestrian crossing time when adding vehicle left‑turn capacity; several suggested a split‑phase or leading pedestrian interval (LPI) to protect pedestrians. Community members and the council office also noted nearby plans — including a small plaza and curb changes — that DOT should consider in a holistic study.
Next steps
DOT said it will study the intersection once requested and present findings to the committee. Board members asked that DOT consider bike signalization and pedestrian phases, the elevator construction timeline (which was described as occupying curb space through fall) and nearby planned plaza work when framing any changes.
