NYC’s Planned 42nd Street Makeover is Focused on Increased Pedestrian Safety

Beginning next summer, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will break ground on the planned redesign of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues in the Times Square district. The $57 million project focuses on safety improvements for pedestrians intended to prevent terror attacks similar to the recent one in New Orleans and in 2017 along 7th Avenue in New York City when a driver in each incident intentionally drove into a pack of pedestrians. The redesign of the corridor will widen sidewalks up to six feet on each side of 42nd Street and new steel security bollards and planters will be installed, replacing the temporary concrete blocks that are currently in place. East and west bus lanes will also be widened, but “it stops short of implementing a 42nd Street busway similar to the one along 14th Street in Union Square. The project also creates a convenient opportunity for the replacement of ancient water and sewer lines under the road that are long-due for upgrades. Times Square Alliance president Tom Harris applauded the redesign, hoping that it will “give a much improved pedestrian experience” within the Times Square area that attracts Manhattan’s highest density of foot traffic on a daily basis. In addition, a proposal from Russell Granet, president and CEO of arts nonprofit New 42, which is the custodian for the theaters along 42^nd Street, suggests that “at least seven plaques at historic sites” be installed to highlight the history of 42^nd Street. Financing for the project that is expected to take at least four years is being funded by $41.7 million budgeted by the DOT and $15.2 million being provided by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Source:    https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/42nd-street-get-57m-makeover-prevent-terror-attacks