NYC DOT to Add Bus Lanes, Make Safety Upgrades on Linden Boulevard

Why It Matters

By speeding up bus service and cutting injuries, the redesign improves mobility for a community where over half rely on public transit and many lack cars. Faster, safer buses also bolster connections to multiple subway lines and JFK Airport, supporting economic activity across East New York.

Key Takeaways

• New bus lanes serve six routes, 60,000 daily riders.
• Eight boarding islands double as pedestrian refuges, opening late 2026.
• Slip lane closures target crash reduction; injuries average one per four days.
• Project connects A, C, J, Z, L, 3 lines and JFK Airport.
• Completion slated for 2027, advancing Vision Zero safety goals.

Pulse Analysis

The addition of dedicated bus lanes has become a cornerstone of New York City’s strategy to alleviate congestion and improve transit reliability. Across the five boroughs, the DOT has rolled out more than 30 miles of bus‑only corridors since 2018, cutting travel times by up to 20 percent on busy routes. Planners cite the ability of segregated lanes to shield buses from double‑parked vehicles and turning trucks as a key factor in delivering on‑time service. As ridership rebounds post‑pandemic, the city is accelerating these projects to meet growing demand.

The Linden Boulevard redesign targets a corridor that has been a safety hotspot. Between 2021 and 2025 the street recorded 443 traffic injuries, including 15 severe cases and a fatality, averaging one person injured every four days. The plan adds eight bus‑boarding islands that also serve as pedestrian refuges, two new signalized intersections at Pine and Emerald Streets, and closes or redesigns five slip lanes to streamline bus flow. By prioritizing the six routes—B13, B14, B15, B20, BM5 and Q8—the project aims to cut travel times for 60,000 riders who depend on these buses.

The investment underscores the city’s broader equity agenda, as more than half of East New York households lack a private vehicle and 54 % rely on public transit. Faster, more reliable buses can expand access to jobs, healthcare and education, while the pedestrian refuges improve safety for the corridor’s high foot traffic. As part of the Jewel Streets Neighborhood Plan, the redesign also paves the way for new housing and commercial development, positioning the area for long‑term economic growth once the project is completed in 2027.