Avenue B redesign expands pedestrian space, limits traffic
Photos courtesy of NYC DOT on Flickr
Avenue B in the East Village has been redesigned to allow for more pedestrian space and less traffic. The city’s Department of Transportation on Tuesday announced the completion of a project that expanded the neighborhood’s existing popular open street with a series of one-way traffic reversals, a two-way lane for cyclists, dedicated loading zones, and safer crossings. Between East 4th and East 14th Street, the upgraded Avenue B builds upon the city’s Open Streets program, which rolled out in 2020 as a way to provide safe outdoor space for communities during the pandemic.
The city redesigned every intersection of the corridor, which runs along Tompkins Square Park, to have new pedestrian curb extensions protected with planters, bike corrals, or granite blocks. This shortens crossing distances, adds more public space, and improves visibility for pedestrians.
The project makes traffic northbound-only from East 7th Street to East 10th Street, while still allowing local access for residents and deliveries. Dedicated loading zones on nearby side streets reduce double parking and truck traffic. The city also added a two-way bike lane for cyclists.
According to the city, these measures will naturally reduce traffic to only local access. Emergency and city vehicles, like sanitation trucks, can still access Avenue B.
“Our streets are more than just for the movement and storage of cars. Our streets are public spaces for everyone to share,” DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said.
“Our Open Streets program was one of the few bright spots from the pandemic. That crisis forced our city to think about how we use our streets and open them up to a wider range of uses that benefit our communities.”
DOT also announced that applications for 2027 Open Streets are now open. This season, the agency will offer a simpler partner payment process, new concession agreement options, and more support for Open Streets next to schools. Get more details here.
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