Times Square Becomes Pedestrian Area Permanently

11 February 2010 - 1:00pm

Pedestrianized area's in Manhattan's Herald Square and Times Square will remain permanently closed to auto traffic.

Safety improvements were a major part of the decision to turn the trial program into a permanent city feature, a move that was announced today by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"'The bottom line is overall traffic in midtown has improved,' the mayor said.

The report shows that taxi speeds in western midtown increased by 7% since the project began and injuries to motorists and passengers were reduced by 63%. Injuries to pedestrians were reduced by 35%. What's more, the mayor claimed that New Yorkers like the pedestrian areas, which comprise more than two and a half acres of new public space."

Source: Crain's New York Business, February 11, 2010

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Hope in Times Square

As this picture shows, the fact that New York has removed cars from Broadway in Times Square should give us hope.
http://preservenet.blogspot.com/2009/07/hope-in-times-square.html

Charles Siegel

Good thing

Thanks for the picture. The pedestrian area is definitely a good idea and Im glad its staying. The numbers speak for themselves!

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