NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project

Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.

1 minute read

December 1, 2024, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Times Square in New York City empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kathy images / Adobe Stock

Two city blocks in Manhattan will become a “premier public space” open primarily to pedestrians and bikes, reports Kevin Duggan in Streetsblog NYC. According to Duggan, “Capital reconstruction would start in September 2026 and take two years to complete, and the spaces will host a two-way cycle lane, public seating, plantings and spaces for art.” The block between 39th and 40th Streets will be closed to cars, while the block between 38th and 39th will allow southbound vehicle traffic.

“The city painted a plaza on Broadway between 39th and 40th streets and created a shared street configuration on the block south of W. 39th Street three years ago, which officials plan to transform with concrete to be level with the curb, Department of Transportation reps told the Community Board 5 Transportation Committee on Monday.” The project is part of the larger Broadway Vision plan to improve the signature street.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 in StreetsBlog NYC

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

7 hours ago - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight