Proposed Bay Ridge Truck Route Draws Safety Concerns Ahead of Public Hearing

By Y.M. Lowy

A proposed truck route through Bay Ridge is drawing opposition from some residents who say it could increase safety risks, traffic, noise, and pollution along one of the neighborhood’s busiest corridors.

Under the proposal, delivery trucks would travel along Third Avenue and connect to a truck route on 86th Street. This route will direct commercial traffic onto a designated route rather than having trucks use side streets and avenues not intended for frequent deliveries.

According to the city, many buildings along the corridor contain a mix of residential and commercial uses, and businesses receive multiple deliveries each day. 

If approved, work is expected to begin in late summer and continue through the fall.

However, some residents have voiced concerns about the plan, noting that Third Avenue sees heavy pedestrian traffic and includes schools along the proposed route. Increasing truck traffic could negatively affect pedestrian safety, particularly for children, while also adding congestion, noise, and air pollution to an already busy commercial corridor.

The city will hold a public hearing on the proposal on June 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 55 Water Street and via Zoom, giving residents an opportunity to provide feedback before any final decision is made.