The Broadway Vision Plan is Heading to Union Square
Broadway north of Madison Square, part of the Broadway Vision phase completed earlier this year.
Credit: New York City Department of Transportation
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) are kicking off the next phase of the Broadway Vision Plan to bring the street improvement project from 21st Street to 17th Street this summer, similar to improvements made on Broadway north of 21st Street over the past two years. The Broadway Vision Plan seeks to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety while creating new public spaces along the storied boulevard from Columbus Circle to Union Square. These improvements continue to strengthen these neighborhoods as vibrant 24/7 live-work-play destinations. The work has already transformed Midtown and Flatiron’s Broadway corridor into a people-first public space, improved traffic safety, increased pedestrian traffic, and retail sales.
Pedestrian, cyclist, and public space improvements along Broadway from 21st Street down to Union Square and along 17th Street from Broadway towards Park Avenue South are already underway and the following are important changes to note:
On Broadway from 17th to 18th Street will become a pedestrian plaza which will make this block closed to all vehicle traffic, formalize a 2-way bike lane, and expand public space.
On Broadway from 18th to 19th Street vehicle traffic will be switching to one-way going Northbound.
Completion of the project is expected by mid-July.
“Transforming the public realm into a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly environment is a key factor in supporting retailers, and we applaud the city’s efforts to prioritize the community’s needs as development on the Broadway Vision plan progresses,” said Julie Stein, executive director, Union Square Partnership. “The city’s investment in this next phase of Broadway is an important step towards realizing the USQNext Vision Plan to further enhance the quality of life for residents, workers, and visitors in Union Square, and we look forward to building off of the momentum from the Broadway Vision to bring these necessary public realm improvements to fruition.”