NYC DOT Completes Latest Phase of Broadway Redesign With New Plaza, Two-Way Bike Connections Above Union Square

Transformational Redesign of Broadway, From East 17th Street to East 21st Street, Dramatically Improves Safety and Experience for Pedestrians and Cyclists With New Plaza, Public Seating, Shared Streets, and Two-Way Bike Connections

City To Begin Public Engagement Later This Year on Next Phase of Broadway Upgrades

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the completion of the latest phase of the city’s transformative redesign of Broadway, known as Broadway Vision. The phase included the installation of a new plaza with public seating, two-way bike connections, and Shared Streets, which naturally slow traffic and increase pedestrian space, between East 17th Street and East 21st Street. These new spaces will be maintained by NYC DOT’s partners, the Union Square Partnership and the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. The transformative redesign will dramatically improve safety and the experience for pedestrians and cyclists.

“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,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “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.”

The dramatic improvements are the latest in the city’s nationally acclaimed transformation of Broadway as a pedestrian- and cycling-first corridor from, Union Square to Columbus Circle, with safe and vibrant public spaces. The stretch of Broadway between East 17th to East 21st streets now includes several traffic-calming treatments and public space enhancements:

• A new Pedestrian Plaza between 17th and 18th streets;
• Curb extensions and narrower turns to reduce speeding and create safer turning movements;
• Shortened crossings and wider crosswalks to enhance pedestrian safety;
• Two-way bike boulevard treatments, along with related signage and signals;
• Reconfigured curb lanes to facilitate loading and pickups/drop offs; and
• Additional public space and cycling amenities, like seating, planters, and additional bike parking.

The completion of this project marks 19 blocks along Broadway that have been transformed into plazas or shared/slow streets through the Broadway Vision plan — creating 17,000 new square feet of pedestrian space between Union Square and Columbus Circle, as well as 13,000 square feet of new shared space. Shared streets — also known as ‘pedestrian-priority’ streets — are roadways designed for slow travel speeds where pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists all share the right of way. Typically used on low vehicle-volume or high pedestrian-volume streets, vehicles are advised to drive five miles per hour.

NYC DOT plans to launch public engagement later this year to discuss future Broadway Vision upgrades with the public.

“The transformation of Broadway has created new world-class public space in Union Square, and the impact is already palpable. We are proud to invite folks to our new signature plaza block on Broadway between 17th and 18th Streets, one of New York City’s most picturesque destinations to shop, eat and relax. On behalf of Union Square Partnership, I’d like to extend our heart-felt congratulations to NYC DOT for completing this phase of the project, connecting Union Square into a remarkable network of pedestrian-first spaces,” said Julie Stein, Executive Director, Union Square Partnership. “We look forward to advancing many more streetscape improvements and public space investments with the city, ultimately fulfilling our USQNext Vision Plan to modernize the public realm throughout our district.”

“As a leader in district management and innovation, we are thrilled to celebrate the latest pedestrian-friendly improvements of Broadway Vision,” said James Mettham, President of the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. “This extension builds on over a decade of innovation, transforming Broadway into a safer, more vibrant corridor. We are proud to be setting the gold standard for what a ‘New’ New York can be with our NYC DOT and BID partners.”

View the full Press Release, here.

Read more about our collaborative public realm work with the City, including Broadway Vision, the NoMad Piazza pop-up plaza, and permanent Flatiron Plaza reconstruction, here.

Video Credit: The Timelapse Group