NYCDOT has released the latest draft of a redesign of 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, which badly needs faster bus service and increased pedestrian space. The plan, which was described at a meeting of the project’s Community Advisory Council last night, addresses both those needs. It would add 18,000 square feet of pedestrian space and improve bus speeds by 15-25% according to early estimates, although it has changed quite a bit from earlier concepts for a physically separated transitway. The plan would also add space on every block for legal loading and parking.
As Streetsblog puts it, the plan is “similar to Select Bus Service on the East Side of Manhattan.” Between Third and Ninth Avenues, the street will include a curb bus lane, two general traffic lanes (one in each direction), an “offset” bus lane away from the curb, and a curb lane for parking, loading, and right turns (the specific combination varies by block). Whether the offset bus lane is on the north or south side of the street would change according to the specific loading needs of each block. West of Ninth and east of Third, the street is wider and will include a curb loading/parking/turn lane, an offset bus lane, and a general traffic lane in each direction.
The plan includes several “bus bulb” sidewalk and curb extensions which would relocate bus shelters off of the main sidewalk and make it easier to cross the street. Off-board fare collection will reduce boarding time, and camera enforcement will help keep bus lanes clear.
The plan appeared to be well received by participants last night, with a NY1 report describing a “total lack of confrontation.” That’s a good sign as the project continues to move through its public process. The next community advisory committee meeting is later this spring, the results of a detailed traffic analysis will be released this fall, and NYCDOT and NYC Transit will conduct an environmental assessment to be released by early next year.
The redesign can be viewed online and at two open houses, which will include block-by-block drawings of the plan and agency staff that can answer specific questions. The first open house takes place on March 30, from 6-8pm in the Norman Thomas High School cafeteria (6th floor) on 111 E 33rd Street. The second is on March 31, from 6:30-8:30pm in the New Yorker Hotel’s Sutton Place Suite (3rd floor), at 481 8th Avenue.
Overall could it be cheaper in terms of operating cost and amortized additional capital cost to replace the buses with a streetcar line and possibly have more street space for other use?
Concept looks excellent but as with all plans, continual enforcement by NYPD is the key. Where is NYPD’s commitment to enforce No Stopping/No Standing /No Parking at the North curb and not permt double parking or standing along the South side. Their reord is not good!
The advantage of streetcar/LRV is that enforcement of no parking in the streetcar lane is mandatory for the streetcar/LRV to work. The disadvantage that the streetcar can’t go around a vehicle is also an advantage because of the requirement for the lane to be kept clear. This would be especially good if the MTA were given towing rights to immediately remove vehicles in the streetcar’s path. Maybe this idea could also be used for the existing exclusive bus lanes and the ones on the drawing boards.