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Engineer: Schaaf Road wide enough for bike lanes; Brooklyn Heights committee weighs striping
Summary
Village Engineer Ms. Zoldak told the Safety Committee on Jan. 20 that Schaaf Road’s pavement is approximately 30 feet wide and could accommodate two five-foot bike lanes by striping; the committee discussed limits, costs (about $10,000–$15,000), County approval, and a 2027 bridge replacement that constrains the eastern terminus.
The Village of Brooklyn Heights Safety Committee on Jan. 20 discussed a plan to add striped bike lanes along Schaaf Road after Village Engineer Ms. Zoldak told the committee the roadway "has an approximate pavement width of 30 feet, which meets the minimum requirements for bike lanes." Committee Chairperson Ray Berzins opened the discussion and turned the item over to Ms. Zoldak.
Ms. Zoldak said a safe design would provide ten-foot travel lanes for vehicles and five-foot lanes for bicycles, and that two five-foot bike lanes—one in each direction—could be installed by striping a solid white line five feet from the curb on both sides. She said she plans to confirm the field measurements with an existing survey once records are accessible.
On cost, Ms. Zoldak estimated "pavement striping would total approximately $10,000," and said additional signage could cost a few thousand dollars, bringing the total to roughly $15,000. She added that the Village Service Department may be able to perform the striping, which could reduce costs to as low as $5,000.
Ms. Zoldak recommended limiting the initial striping to the segment of Schaaf Road between just before the Tuxedo intersection and just before the bridge over Granger Road. She said the roadway narrows near Tuxedo as it transitions to three lanes, and that the bridge area is narrower; the bridge is scheduled for replacement in 2027, and the Village could consider extending bike lanes further east after that project.
Committee members discussed next steps, including confirming measurements from the survey, coordinating approval with the County because Schaaf Road is a County route, and choosing solid striped bike lanes rather than shared-use markings for safety. Chairperson Ray Berzins requested clarification on allowable uses of County Maintenance Funds; Ms. Zoldak explained that about half of the striping cost might be eligible for coverage through the County Maintenance Fund.
There was brief conversation about the possibility of adding bike lanes in other parts of the village, but speakers noted roadway width requirements will limit where five-foot bike lanes can be installed safely. The Safety Committee did not take a formal vote; after questions were addressed, the meeting adjourned.
