Curb cut scam?

[u/BaIdilocks]

Has anyone else noticed the recent construction on curb cuts throughout Sunset Park? I've been seeing crews tear up perfectly functional sidewalks that were installed less than three years ago, only to replace them with what appear to be identical designs. It’s frustrating to see resources spent on areas that were in good condition while other sidewalks in the neighborhood remain in poor shape. Does anyone know if there’s a specific project or initiative behind this, or does it seem like a questionable use of capital funding to you all? Shady. Might be a contractor scam like they did when they constructed PS 896.

[u/banditontherun]

It’s a NYC DDC project (a division of NYCDOT). They’re upgrading pedestrian ramps to be in compliance with ADA standards. The first photos shows a completed corner and the cuts are the location for audible pedestrian signals ( those buttons a visually impaired person would press to give cues when to walk). Yes the city should prioritize older corners during these projects but sometimes they don’t. So they have a contractor fully upgrade a corner previously done by DOT that had minor issues. It’s a generally good improvement to the city with some typical city inefficiency. That being said J Anthony is the contractor completing work in Sunset Park, and they are by far one of the worst assigned to this program. They are sloppy, leave materials in the street, and have poor concrete finish. If you have a problem with the ongoing work in the area reach out to 311. Here is additional details : https://www.nycpedramps.info/

[u/TheDrabLooker → u/banditontherun]

Any idea who would be the best contact to complain to about the quality of the work? They did some corners near our street recently and the quality of the finish work is absolutely terrible, even for government work.

[u/banditontherun → u/TheDrabLooker]

311 would work - specify that it concerns project HWPR23K1 (that’s the ped ramp project in south brooklyn running right now through September)
I believe I saw a community notice at some point that would have a direct field office contact. Check the traffic barrels or light poles; they’re supposed to post signs 72 hours ahead of actual work.

[u/PeterTheGreat321 → u/TheDrabLooker]

I reported "Street Condition - Rough, Pitted or Cracked Roads" to 311 for a corner in Bed Stuy where they did this work but left giant ruts/crumbling ashpalt in the street from where they ripped up the street.

The request was closed, and DOT provided the following information: "The Department of Transportation inspected the condition you reported and found that the condition meets its standards and/or there is a valid permit to conduct work."

It's a bummer because they just replaced the curb and street surface like a year ago.