Mayor Bloomberg to Make Broadway in Times Square a Pedestrian Mall

It may become easier for theatergoers to take on Broadway by foot, should New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg get his way. According to The New York Times, the politico is expected to announce plans on February 26 that would close Broadway between 42nd Street and 47th Streets to traffic, making the stretch a pedestrian mall complete with cafes, seating areas, planters and sections for cyclists and foot traffic

The plan was developed to alleviate Midtown congestion, rerouting Times Square traffic down Seventh Avenue while keeping cross streets open to continue access to the theater district. Seventh Avenue would also be widened slightly within Times Square to accommodate extra traffic diverted from Broadway. The changes could be enacted as early as May 2009 and run through the end of the year, after which the experiment will be gauged for success. If all goes smoothly, the adjustments could remain permanent.

While it may seem counterproductive to close off major traffic arteries in order to reduce traffic, officials explain that Broadway’s diagonal path through Times Square causes congestion at traffic lights and at its point of intersection with major avenues. Rerouting vehicle flow down a widened Seventh Avenue is predicted to eliminate such back-ups.

As part of an experimental project called Broadway Boulevard, the famous roadway was already augmented once in summer 2008, when the city narrowed Broadway from 42nd Street to 35th Street by closing off two lanes to create a bike path and promenade with tables and chairs for pedestrians.

Bloomberg’s plan is part of a new initiative to make city streets more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists in order to reduce the amount of vehicles and traffic in the city.

Feedback from the theater industry regarding the changes have reportedly been mostly positive so far. However, some concerns have been expressed as to whether the plan will make the district less accessible to taxis and other vehicles.