'Grand' FDNY Pain: Bike Path Puts Squeeze on Fire Engines

NY Post 11/29/08

A new, massive bike lane has clogged Grand Street so badly that firefighters are having trouble turning their rigs onto the road, downtown shopkeepers and residents told The Post.

Eyewitnesses to the problem fear New York's Bravest could be blocked from keeping up their stellar response times in Little Italy.

One firefighter at Engine Co. 55 on Broome Street told The Post that the firehouse was looking for other ways around the mess.

"It is a problem. It's something we've been talking about. We been changing our routes when we're driving around this area," he said.

But the city doesn't exactly see it as a hindrance.

"The bike lanes have not affected our response times, but there are a variety of factors that can impact them," said FDNY spokesman Steve Ritea. "And we're in communication with DOT about the lanes to make sure they don't create any problems in the future."

The lanes were recently installed on the nearly one-mile stretch on the south side of Grand Street between Varick and Chrystie streets to protect cyclists from absent-minded or aggressive drivers.

Department of Transportation spokesman Seth Solomonow said the agency began talking to community groups and the Fire Department about the bike lane as early as six months ago. He said he hasn't received any complaints from firefighters.

"The most important thing to emphasize is that this project is still being installed," Solomonow said. "We're still open to hear concerns from the community."

The new design extends parked cars about 18 feet into the roadway. During most days, that leaves a single 11-foot lane for traffic.

Several residents in the area said the design was confusing and limited space for large vehicles like firetrucks to turn onto Grand Street.

"I saw one truck back up four or five times before being able to squeeze into the lane," said Ernest Lepore, who owns Ferrara Café on Grand Street.

"The firefighter driving was visibly frustrated," Lepore said.

The DOT said that by tomorrow, it would finish installing no-parking zones near Grand Street intersections, which could ease any turning troubles, Solomonow said.

Also, MuniMeters with three-hour limits are being installed on the north side of Grand to keep delivery trucks moving.

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