New York City is set to commence a pedestrian-centric redesign of a seven-block section of Broadway this week, marking the latest development in the ongoing initiative to repurpose the iconic street from vehicular traffic.
The project’s goal is to revamp the busy, often disordered area between Madison Square and Herald Square by incorporating pedestrian plazas, curb extensions, a two-way bike lane, and other measures to calm traffic.
The redesign’s key feature will be a vehicle ban between 25th and 27th streets, replaced by two new pedestrian plazas with outdoor dining facilities. The rest of the project, up to 32nd Street, will be designated a “shared street,” meaning vehicles will be discouraged but not officially prohibited.
Slated for completion this summer, the plans will be financed as part of Mayor Eric Adams’ $375 million pledge to develop new public spaces and permanent open streets throughout the five boroughs.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announces a transportation and public space initiative. Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office This redesign is considered the initial phase of the city’s Broadway Vision project, which aspires to establish a “people-first Broadway,” according to Transportation Commissioner Ydannis Rodriguez.
The new plans come in the wake of a cab driver losing control and jumping the curb on West 29th Street last year, injuring six people. At a press conference on Sunday, Adams cited the incident as a major reason it was time to continue to move forward.
However, despite the mayor’s plans to discourage driving on parts of Broadway, he has dismissed calls from safe streets advocates for a more extensive pedestrianization, leading to accusations of a fragmented approach spanning several mayoral terms.
On Sunday, Adams indicated that this plan was only the beginning of a broader effort to re-envision the stretch between Union Square and Columbus Circle. He also reaffirmed his commitment to shifting away from car-centric culture, urging drivers to abandon their vehicles in favor of the city’s new public spaces.
Adams stated it would be a minor inconvenience for some motorists, but the new area should create excitement and interest to visit the area and see the diversity of the city and use the city’s public transit system.
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