Parts of Broadway will close to traffic

Pedestrian areas replace cars

Wendy Natt, Mar 10, 09.

In an experiment to reduce traffic and improve traffic flow in midtown, New York City will close off parts of Broadway between 47th and 42nd Streets to vehicles and make the car-free areas more pleasant for pedestrians, says a recent article in the New York Times. The changes will come into effect in May and extend until at least the end of the year. This project is a continuation of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s campaign to reduce congestion and pollution in the city. If this traffic management strategy proves successful, the Broadway pedestrian malls may become permanent, says the article.

Broadway runs on a diagonal, with intersections that are often clogged with traffic and that create challenges for the timing of green lights on cross streets. Once the new plan is introduced, the avenues crossing Broadway will remain open to traffic, but the between-streets areas on Broadway will be designated for pedestrian use only. Chairs, benches, tables and other amenities will be added to these areas to create spaces for pedestrians to enjoy. Jeffrey Zupan of the Regional Plan Association is optimistic about the strategy the city is taking to decreasing traffic congestion..

“The lower the volume is on Broadway — or if you eliminate it altogether — then traffic is going to move better. That’s one of the positive things that’s going to come out of this. The win-win is that the space that you’re freeing up will be used by pedestrians.”

Last summer another project on Broadway narrowed a portion of the street in order to add bicycle and promenade lanes, with tables, chairs and planters. Those areas now attract many tourists and office workers on lunch break, according to the New York Times article.

(photo credit: MsAnthea)

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