Overview:
This project, a joint effort of the Department of City Planning and the Department of Transportation, would improve the pedestrian circulation system downtown by reducing congestion, improving safety, and providing better pedestrian access to mass transit, offices, stores, the waterfront, open spaces, and tourist attractions.

The study focuses on key pedestrian streets, as determined by an analysis of circulation patterns based on extensive pedestrian counts. These streets nclude Broadway and Wall, Broad, John/Dey, Fulton, Chambers, Liberty, Church, Rector, and Beaver streets, and Exchange Place. Waterfront access would be improved and significant new pedestrian space created by street direction changes and sidewalk widenings on streets that lead to the East River, including the foot of Wall Street, Coenties Slip, Old Slip, and Burling Slip. These new open spaces, furnished with seating, landscaping, and sidewalk cafes, would become destinations attractive to residents, workers, and visitors.

Sidewalk widenings on Wall Street, Liberty Street, and Broad Street would improve access to mass transit and new residential buildings. Neckdowns, extensions of the sidewalk at the street corner, located at intersections with congested subway entrances/exits would ease crowding during rush hours. Improved pavement markings, traffic signalization changes, and no standing regulations at key intersections would increase pedestrian safety.

The project also complements city-wide efforts to improve the function, aesthetics, and safety of the city’s streets by removing or relocating pedestrian obstructions to reduce sidewalk clutter.


Report:
The report is available as one complete document ( 3.7 MB).

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