Eyes on the Street: A Walk Down Broadway Boulevard

After Summer Streets wrapped up last Saturday, I headed over to Times Square to check out the progress on DOT’s “Broadway Boulevard” project. The new street geometry and surfacing are mostly in place, while plantings and furniture have yet to arrive. The bike lane was also fully functional, making this pedicab ride across 41st Street a lot more pleasant than it would have been a few months ago.

Same intersection, different angle. The plaza surfaces are at grade and have a pebbled texture. Crossing distances for pedestrians have been halved…

…which is especially helpful if you’re pushing a stroller. More pics after the jump.

The left turn bay at 36th Street.

Here’s the left-turn signalization, a la Ninth Avenue, in action.

Can monster promo trucks be banned from parking next to the pedestrian plazas?

A drainage problem at the corner of 37th Street. 

When the boulevard treatment ends, Herald Square Park is just a few steps away. 

Bursting off the sidewalk at 34th Street and 6th Avenue. 

Next item on the agenda: Bigger pedestrian refuges for Herald Square.