Eyes on the Street: A Complete Street on Columbus Avenue, Completed

DOT crews install a pedestrian island at Columbus Avenue and 109th Street this afternoon. Photo: Stephen Miller

Foot-dragging from Community Board 7 meant it was split into two phases, but a protected bike lane, with pedestrian islands, is close to the finish line for Columbus Avenue between 110th and 70th Streets. The initial paint went down a couple weeks ago. This afternoon, DOT crews were installing the pedestrian islands and striping the bike lane with green paint.

The protected bike lane, which ends at 70th Street to become a shared lane before resuming as the Ninth Avenue protected bike lane at 59th Street, does not have a northbound pair, meaning that Upper West Siders looking to go uptown by bike have more limited options. A campaign led by Transportation Alternatives aims to build support among residents, community board members, and elected officials to bring a northbound complete street to Amsterdam Avenue, as well.

DOT workers spray green paint in the protected bike lane on Columbus Avenue at 104th Street. Photo: Stephen Miller
  • Bronxite

    Meanwhile, 1st Ave is taking forever as it completes that section in East Harlem. I’m blown away as to how long it has taken.

    I really don’t understand why the DOT, realizing the length of time curb construction takes, will not just stripe the protected lanes first.

    An entire city wide network of protected lanes could be completed in a matter of a few months if they just painted first. Better then nothing!

  • Anonymous

    Love this already. Makes life so much easier on Columbus. Amsterdam doesn’t know what it’s missing!

  • Alessandro Canale

    Great! I really hope the green paint keeps people from parking their cars by the curb (pre-bike lane construction). I started taking Columbus a couple weeks ago and cars were being double parked by the curb and on their new designated area at the same time as if it was a glorified double parking lane. Most of this was taking place in front of the Whole Foods below 100th st. And yes the bike lane on 1st Av. is taking for ever to get finished with similar results of checkered formation parking.

  • Alessandro Canale

    Also, I just signed the petition for the Amsterdam bike lane at the TA site. Thanks for posting the link!

  • Bronxite

    I noticed that myself. Drivers parked inside the protected bicycle lane. I don’t understand some people, it’s so obvious that it’s NOT an additional automobile traffic lane…

  • Anonymous

    I noticed that the first time I rode down it, but the last time I was there the cars were in the correct places. I think they’ll stop doing this once it’s painted green and signed as a bike lane and has the pedestrian islands installed, which is finally happening today.

  • James Reefer

    Is there a projected completion date?

  • Ben Kintisch

    Congratulations to all the people who worked hand on the Upper West to make Columbus safer!

  • Daphna

    The protected lane is actually goes down to 69th Street, not 70th Street as reported. From 69th to 63rd there will be the shared lane with sharrows. From 63rd and south to the existing lane at 59th Street it will be protected, but that construction will only be done once the water main project in that area is complete.

  • Ari

    This is exciting. I grew up (and my parents still live) near Columbus @ 100th. Even with the heavy truck/bus/car traffic, Columbus has excess road capacity most of the time.

    Even though my mom doesn’t drive, she will surely question me about this project (from a windshield perspective).

    Does anyone know if DOT shortened the mixing zones? As I recall they did agree to make that change. Personally, I think the original mixing zones are too long from a political perspective. Perhaps even too long from a logistical/safety perspective as well.

  • Anonymous

    I believe DoT said they would complete First Avenue this year. The appearance is one of having diverted DoT personnel from First Avenue over to Columbus. I hope that’s not the case, since the First Avenue project in East Harlem was approved and promised first.

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