Flatbush Avenue Redesign to Improve Brooklyn Commutes

City officials say the overhaul will cut travel times and add pedestrian space along one of Brooklyn's busiest routes.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:38pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the sweeping, modernist vision for the redesigned Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, with sleek, streamlined forms representing the new bus lanes, pedestrian spaces, and transportation infrastructure.The ambitious redesign of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn aims to transform one of the borough's busiest transportation corridors, prioritizing public transit and pedestrian safety.Brooklyn Today

The New York City Department of Transportation is launching a redesign of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, which will install center-running bus lanes and add 29,000 square feet of pedestrian space. The project aims to address slow bus speeds and improve safety for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians along the busy corridor that serves over 132,000 daily riders.

Why it matters

Flatbush Avenue is a major transportation artery in Brooklyn, with buses serving as a primary mode of commuting for tens of thousands of residents. The redesign project is expected to significantly improve bus speeds and commute times, while also enhancing pedestrian safety and accessibility along the corridor.

The details

The Flatbush Avenue redesign will install center-running bus lanes between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza, serving several key bus routes including the B41, B67, B69, B63, B45, and B103. Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said the changes are intended to address the current situation where 'it can often be as fast to walk as it is to take a bus on Flatbush Avenue.' The project will also add 29,000 square feet of pedestrian space, dedicated loading zones, and other safety upgrades to reduce conflicts between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Construction will be phased over several months, with work expected to continue through the fall of 2026.

  • Construction on the Flatbush Avenue redesign will begin in late April 2026.
  • The project is expected to continue through the fall of 2026.

The players

New York City Department of Transportation

The city agency leading the Flatbush Avenue redesign project.

Mike Flynn

Transportation Commissioner for New York City, who discussed the goals of the Flatbush Avenue redesign.

Andrew Gounardes

New York State Senator who described Flatbush Avenue as a 'dangerous, traffic-clogged nightmare' that is overdue for change.

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What they’re saying

“It can often be as fast to walk as it is to take a bus on Flatbush Avenue.”

— Mike Flynn, Transportation Commissioner

“Right now, Flatbush Avenue is a dangerous, traffic-clogged nightmare that doesn't work for anyone.”

— Andrew Gounardes, New York State Senator

What’s next

City officials urged drivers to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time during the construction period, which is expected to continue through the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

The Flatbush Avenue redesign project represents a significant investment in improving public transit and pedestrian infrastructure in Brooklyn, with the goal of reducing commute times, enhancing safety, and providing a more efficient and accessible transportation corridor for the thousands of residents who rely on it daily.