There is no greater test of patience of a new Yorker than a walk along Seventh Avenue through the city centre on a fine summer day. Sidewalks fill countless tourists heading to times square, most of which stop to take a selfie or a regular photo, creating obstacles for those who need to continue movement.
But a new planproposed by Community Board 5 in Manhattan, seeks to transform Seventh Avenue in downtown into something more acceptable to pedestrians.
The idea is to introduce a few simple but effective changes in the urban landscape, for example, the extension of sidewalks on the West side of Seventh Avenue between 42nd Street and 33 rd Street. New sidewalks, made of epoxy gravel will provide additional 10 feet of space for pedestrians.
The plan also provides for the creation of Islands for landing in the bus next to existing bus stops on the West side of the Avenue and add left and right turning lanes to improve traffic in the area.
The ambition of the public Council does not stop at Seventh Avenue. The discussion also made the pilot program for the closure of two blocks of Broadway (between 36th Street and 37th Street and 39th Street to 40th Street) to traffic from June to August.
Restrictions on the movement of vehicles be allowed to expand the space allocated for recreation areas.
The Council will vote on each of the plans at its next meeting on 8 June.
