FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2001 |
Release #258-01 |
Contact: | Sunny Mindel / Sid Dinsay | (212) 788-2958 |
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced the second phase of a major traffic-calming plan that will widen sidewalks in the "bow-tie" area of Times Square in an effort to improve the flow of both foot and vehicular traffic. When completed in September, the three-phase traffic-calming plan will help ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists at the Crossroads of the World.
Joining the Mayor for the announcement were Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall and City Planning Chairman Joseph Rose.
Mayor Giuliani said, "For decades, New Yorkers and visitors to our City have come to Times Square because it represents the best of New York. Here they can take in a Broadway show, sit in on tapings of national television shows and sample some of the best shopping in the City. As one of our most popular destinations, the Crossroads of the World is jam-packed with pedestrians and motorists all vying for a limited amount of space. This traffic-calming plan will help ensure everyone's safety while making it easier to move around and take in all that Times Square has to offer."
Transportation Commissioner Weinshall said, "The safety of New Yorkers -- and visitors to our great City -- is the top concern at DOT. By widening sidewalks and making it easier for people to cross the street, we are making Times Square safer for everyone who comes here."
City Planning Chairman Rose said, "There are record numbers of tourists and New Yorkers in our City. These measures will help us deal with the consequences of our success. Times Square will be safer for both pedestrians and motorists and will allow the Crossroads of the World to continue to flourish."
The traffic-calming plan is the result of a City Planning report issued
in June 2000, which made numerous recommendations on how to improve vehicular
flow through the "bow-tie" area of Times Square. Phase One of the
plan was implemented late last year, when DOT installed new taxi stand signage.
During Phase Two, DOT widened sidewalks using asphalt extensions (to be completed
by July 31, 2001); DOT will also install planters, pavement markings and bollards
to further separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic. In all, 24 block faces
between 49th and 41st Streets on Broadway and 7th Avenue will undergo changes.
Phase Three -- restricting turns at certain intersection on Broadway and 7th
Avenue -- will go into effect in late August/early September.
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