AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 28, 2026
City Unveils Third Avenue Redesign After Fatal Crash
Following the tragic death of a 28-year-old nurse in a hit-and-run incident, city officials have announced a comprehensive redesign of Third Avenue in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. This stretch of roadway has long been the subject of safety concerns due to its history of accidents and fatalities.
Safety Measures at the Core of the Overhaul
The planned changes to Third Avenue will cover a 2.1-mile corridor, an area that has experienced 17 traffic deaths over the past decade. Central to the redesign is the reduction of vehicle travel lanes from up to eight down to four. The project also includes the installation of protected bike lanes in both directions, while maintaining parking lanes on both sides of the street. Pedestrian crossings will be shortened to improve safety for those walking and biking along the avenue.
Phased Construction Timeline Set
The construction will be completed in two phases. The first phase will address the southern section of Third Avenue, from 62nd to 43rd streets, with work scheduled to begin next year. The northern segment, spanning from 43rd Street to 20th Street, is set for completion in 2028. In addition to the main corridor, new protected bike lanes will be installed on 60th Street between Second and Fourth avenues.
Impact of Recent Fatality on Third Avenue Safety Plans
Less than two months prior to the announcement, Jiayi Zheng, a nurse at NYU Langone Brooklyn Hospital, was fatally struck by a speeding black Cadillac while crossing Third Avenue after her overnight shift. According to police, Zheng had the right of way and had already crossed the first of three crosswalks when the hit-and-run occurred. Her death reignited calls from healthcare workers, residents, and transportation advocates to address longstanding safety issues on Third Avenue.
Community Reaction and Call for Change
Transportation Alternatives, a local advocacy group, reported that Zheng was the 11th person killed while walking or biking along the two-mile stretch of Third Avenue since 2014. Another NYU Langone Brooklyn Hospital employee, nurse practitioner Clara Kang, was also fatally struck on the avenue while biking home in 2021. In light of these tragedies, many of Zheng's coworkers expressed deep concerns about the safety of crossing Third Avenue. One nurse described feeling scared and intimidated by the roadway.
Previous Redesign Efforts and City Commitment
A similar Third Avenue redesign had been proposed during the Adams administration, but was abandoned in 2025 following opposition from some local business owners. In announcing the new plan, Mayor Mamdani emphasized the city's commitment to urban street safety and the importance of prioritizing people over traffic. "Seventeen people have lost their lives along this corridor in a decade. That cannot continue," Mamdani stated. "Starting next year, we will transform Third Avenue to protect pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. We know what keeps New Yorkers safe on our streets: calmer intersections, shorter crossings, protected bike lanes and ambitious redesigns that put people first."
Looking Ahead for Sunset Park and Beyond
The redesign of Third Avenue aims to address persistent concerns about urban street safety, traffic fatalities, and the need for safer pedestrian crossings and protected bike lanes. With construction set to begin in phases, city officials hope that the overhaul will serve as a model for roadway redesign and improvement of new york city streets, creating safer environments for all.
Source: abc7ny.com.
