Pedestrian plaza, two-way bike lane now on Broadway near Union Square
Cyclists and pedestrians travel along the newly redesigned plaza block on Broadway, from East 17th Street to East 18th Street. Credit: NYC DOT
Broadway is gradually becoming a safer, more welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists. Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Thursday announced the completion of the latest phase of “Broadway Vision,” bringing a new pedestrian plaza, two-way bike connections, and other safety upgrades between East 17th and East 21st Streets. The Union Square Partnership and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership will maintain the new spaces.
The improvements include a new pedestrian plaza between 17th and 18th Streets, curb extensions and narrower turns to reduce speeding and promote safe turning, shortened crossings and wider crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety, and two-way bike boulevards.
Additional features include redesigned curb lanes for loading and picking up, and more public space and cycling amenities, such as seating, planters, and expanded bike parking.
The completion of this phase marks 19 blocks along Broadway that have been transformed into plazas or shared/slow streets through Broadway Vision. Together, the new spaces make up 17,000 square feet of pedestrian space between Union Square and Columbus Circle, and 13,000 square feet of new shared space.
“Through Broadway Vision we are transforming streets that were once choked with vehicle traffic into calm, welcoming places for New Yorkers and visitors to relax, dine out, shop, and meet one another,” Rodriguez said.
“This latest phase dramatically expands pedestrian space just north of Union Square, with public seating, improved pedestrian crossings, and two-way bike connections. These changes make our streets safer, support businesses, and bring New Yorkers together.”
Shared streets, also known as “pedestrian-priority” streets, are designed for slow travel speeds where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share the right of way. Usually implemented on low-vehicle or high-pedestrian volume corridors, vehicles are advised to drive five miles per hour.
DOT is planning to begin public engagement later this year to discuss future Broadway Vision upgrades with New Yorkers.
Broadway Vision was first proposed in Mayor Eric Adams’ “New New York: Making New York Work For Everyone” action plan. The first phase of work kicked off in March 2023, with the addition of two new plazas, shared streets, and a two-way bike lane on Broadway from West 25th to West 32nd Street.
Plans for the latest phase were announced in August 2023.
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