NYC’s redesign of Broadway blocks into pedestrian-friendly stretch begins
Rendering of Greeley Square after capital construction work is completed; Courtesy of “New” New York Panel
New York City will begin its transformation of an iconic stretch of Broadway into a pedestrian-friendly corridor this week, Mayor Eric Adams announced Sunday. The work is part of the first phase of “Broadway Vision,” a plan to make the chaotic and crowded streets between Madison Square and Herald Square safer by banning cars on some blocks and creating more space for pedestrians. As part of the first phase, the city will add two new plazas, shared streets, and a two-way bike lane on Broadway from West 25th Street to West 32nd Street.
Map of work beginning this week from Madison Square to Herald Square. Credit: New York City Department of Transportation
A major change proposed in Broadway Vision is the complete ban on cars on Broadway between 25th and 27th Streets. According to a press release, the city will allow for outdoor dining at restaurants in the plaza areas between 25th and 27th Streets, in partnership with the Flatiron NoMad Partnership.
Up to 32nd Street will be made a “shared street,” designed to discourage vehicles, but not ban them, according to Gothamist.
The project will install plazas between 25th Street and 26th Street and 26th Street and 27th Street, curb extensions and narrower turns to ease traffic, shorter crossings, wider crosswalks, the reconfiguration of curb lanes to make loading and picking up smoother, and additional public space and bicycling amenities like seating, plantings, new Citi Bike hubs, and bike parking.
Broadway Vision was first proposed in Adams’ “New New York: Making New York Work For Everyone” action plan, a collection of 40 proposals from a variety of city leaders and business experts to create a blueprint for NYC’s future. The proposals focus on ways the city and state can work together across sectors to streamline New York’s long-term growth.
“I am excited that work is getting underway to give more space along this iconic corridor to pedestrians and cyclists,” Ydanis Rodriguez, commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, said.
“Through our Broadway Vision plan, DOT is creating a people-first Broadway, connecting from Union Square to Columbus Circle, and we look forward to redesigning the next section between Madison Square and Herald Square. This effort will not only further reduce reliance on vehicles and support safe, sustainable transportation, but will also improve our quality of life, bolster our economy, and protect our environment.”
The first phase is expected to be completed this summer and will be funded as part of the mayor’s $375 million commitment to creating new public spaces and open streets across NYC. The second phase of construction will install permanent capital improvements on Broadway from West 21st Street to West 33rd Street.
“Two years ago, the pandemic devastated Midtown and our business districts, but it gave us the opportunity to reimagine our public spaces,” Adams. “Beginning this week, our Broadway Vision will come to life with vibrant, new public spaces and safer streets from Madison Square to Herald Square. Midtown is back, and New York City is back.”
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