April 12, 2018

Commissioner James O’Neill

New York Police Department
1 Police Plaza
New York, NY 10038

Commissioner Polly Trottenberg

New York City Department of Transportation
55 Water Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10041

Dear Commissioners O’Neill and Trottenberg,

We write to echo our constituents’ frustration about the ongoing traffic issues at the Grand and
Clinton Streets intersection on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Constituents continue to
contact our offices about the vehicle gridlock in this area, along with quality of life concerns,
such as noise, that stem from this traffic. It is critical that your agencies work swiftly with the
community to find solutions to this ongoing traffic problem.

We appreciate DOT’s commitment to present findings of an ongoing study of the area in May
and recommendations to address the traffic issues, made at the urging of Community Board 3
and our offices. We look forward to reviewing these recommendations next month and hearing
the community’s feedback. We ask that DOT work with Community Board 3 in advance of the
presentation, to ensure that the material presented is accessible to the general public.

We also appreciate the commitment of the Police Department (NYPD) to survey traffic
improvement measures for this area (see NYPD letter attached). These improvements include:
(1) the placement of an electronic message board at Grand Street notifying drivers of alternative
routes to the Williamsburg Bridge; (2) a request to DOT to place permanent signs pointing to
alternative street access to the Williamsburg Bridge, via Norfolk and Essex Streets; (3) and the
increased presence of traffic enforcement agents in this area. We understand that the 7th Precinct
is still assessing the effectiveness of the measures. We look forward to reviewing the results of
that assessment in the near future.

Traffic conditions at Clinton and Grand Streets continue to be an enormous problem, and our
community desperately needs action to tackle this issue. Moreover, this area of the Lower East
Side is set to be heavily impacted by increased traffic flow due to the opening of Essex Crossing;
the large complex of residential, retail and office space and the looming L train shutdown, which
adds to the need for quick action from your agencies.
We appreciate the work and attention that your agencies have given to this traffic issue, and we
look forward to your response. Should you have any questions, you may contact any of us
directly or via Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou at 212-312-1420 or niouy@nyassembly.gov or
Senator Brian Kavanagh at 212-298-5565 or kavanagh@nysenate.gov

Sincerely,

Yuh-Line Niou Brian Kavanagh

Assemblymember State Senator

Nydia Velazquez Carolyn Maloney

Congressmember Congressmember

Gale Brewer Margaret Chin

Manhattan Borough President Councilmember

cc:
Manhattan Community Board 3
Chief Thomas Chan
Deputy Chief Michael Pilecki
Deputy Inspector Rhonda O’Reilly Bovell
DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Luis Sanchez