Broadway is to become almost car-free to create more space for bicycles on two blocks in the Garment District

A busy stretch of Broadway could soon be nearly car-free, allowing more space for pedestrian malls and two-way bike lanes on the world-famous southbound road Streetaccording to a redesign plan from the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT).

Car traffic would no longer be permitted there Manhattan Garment District from 39th to 40th Streets along the busy corridor as indicated in the DOTs Broadway vision Plan to implement what the agency calls a “people- and bike-centered redesign” the 13 mile thoroughfare that runs through the entire district.

The block to be ready vehicle-free have Two-way bike paths, green spaces And Spaces for art. Bicycles traveled north and south in adjacent lanes, separated Street paint.

The DOT, Which is Working with that City The Department of Design and Construction (DDC), which is involved in the project, also plans to install crash-resistant steel bollards on 40th Street And 39 streets to prevent cars from entering the block.

Not only would cars no longer travel on that one block, but Broadway would also become a shared corridor for pedestrians and bicycles from 38th to 39th streets And Vehicles. Bicycles would ride side by side in both directions in the north and south lanes.

“NYC DOTs Broadway Vision transforms a busy place Street into a first-class public space right in the center of Manhattan,” said a DOT spokesperson. “Through our great partnership with the Garment District Alliance, this proposal will take our current people-centered design to the next level and enhance painted bike spaces and plazas with more permanent features such as trees and green space, public seating and bollards And more.”

The DOT has been working on Broadway Vision ever since 2021, when it was applied Street Color to mark areas for pedestrians and cyclists. Plan improvements include permanent barriers, including steel bollards, along 38th and 39th Streets that will provide better protection from cars.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin this year September 2026 and will last two years.

Concerns about sharing a car or bike And Pedestrian corridor

The DOT and DDC presented Broadway Vision neighborhood Manhattan Community Board 5s Meeting on November 25th. Casey Gorell from the DOTs Public space team explained that the plan was part of the agency greater vision too set a tougher, more permanent infrastructure in place of painted designs along Broadway from Times Square to Union Square.

“For this vision for the Garment District, was Really looking for a first class public space in the district,” Gorell said.“We want to improve pedestrian access to the key subway entrances N, Q and R And W trains. So Additionally, try to maintain building access for loading and deliveries while creating slow sharing Street that gives priority to pedestrians.”

While department officials said the new plan would calm bicycle and vehicle traffic on the two blocks, New Yorkers expressed concerns about the shared corridor and skepticism To whether electric vehicle drivers would do this Strictly speaking slow.

“Wbefore find that the common space without Really Protected lanes don’t work. It is Danger pedestrians, bicycles are everywhere,” said one participant at the meeting. “She Really must have much larger design that shows them which direction to go In. Painted lanes don’t work.”

Gorell said the plan aims to clearly distinguish between Broadway visitors using the roadway in vehicles or as cyclists and pedestrians.

“Wbefore use lots of planters as edgesThere There will be bollards around common areas Street Area away from the roadway or common area Street to the sidewalk,” he said. “And was Really We want to create clear paths so that when cyclists cycle through this space, they do so where they should be.”

Community board member Joel Maxman emphasized the importance of protecting pedestrians from speeding electric vehicles. Him too expressed concerns about creating a two-way bike path on the blocks.

“Weve has always objected to double-track cycle paths in the past It is Come before us. We voted against any double-track cycle path. You have Type something without asking us what I think not work,” Maxman told the DOT.

The DOT said the two-way bike lanes will likely slow down bike traffic because of cyclists “habit Do you feel comfortable” go quickly in the middle a sea of other bikers.

Some people at the meeting supported the plan, others said so “not make sense.” The community board also supports this, but expresses concerns around pedestrian safety be addressed.

More design changes on Broadway

Meanwhile, the DOT has completed another phase Broadway Vision at Union Square In September.

Here, the DOT installed a new pedestrian plaza between E. 17th Street and E. 21st Street, two-lane bike lanes separated only by paint, and other facilities designed to be bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.

“Tthrough Broadway vision We change streets like this were once suffocated by car to quiet, welcoming places for New Yorkers and visitors to relax, dine, shop and meet,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in September. “This latest phase significantly expands pedestrian space north of Union Square, providing public seating, improved pedestrian crossings, and two-way bicycle connections. These changes make our roads safer, support businesses and brings New Yorkers together.”

Both the redevelopment of Union Square and the Garment District are part of this City ongoing Broadway vision to slow traffic and Be more inviting for bicycles and pedestrians from Union Square north to Columbus Circle.