Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Pedestrians and Cyclists Get Room to Breathe on South Street

The completion of the boardwalk to the left has opened up room for pedestrians and cyclists… Photo: David Meyer

The pace is slow, but the city is making progress on the East River greenway in Lower Manhattan.

The South Street section of the greenway, a project of NYC EDC, has been under construction for the better part of the last decade. Phase one wrapped up between Wall Street and Maiden Lane in 2011, followed by subsequent projects between Wall Street and Broad Street and between Pike Street and Pier 35 that opened in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

For at least the past few years, crews have been working on an esplanade just north of the old Fulton Fish Market, and during construction people walking and biking had to squeeze into a narrow, poorly paved shared path. Now that work has wrapped up, giving people on foot direct access to the waterfront and giving cyclists a smooth, dedicated two-way path.

...while the boardwalk was under construction, people walking and biking had to share this narrow path. Photo: Jon Orcutt
...while the boardwalk was under construction, people walking and biking had to share this narrow path. Photo: Jon Orcutt
...while the boardwalk was under construction, people walking and biking had to share this narrow path. Photo: Jon Orcutt

South of the new promenade, cyclists and pedestrians still share a makeshift path around the old Fulton Fish Market, known as the Tin Building, which is being redeveloped by the Howard Hughes Corp.

Cyclists and pedestrians must share this narrow, unpaved path shoved between construction to the east and a massive parking lot to the west. Photo: David Meyer
Cyclists and pedestrians must share this narrow, unpaved path shoved between construction to the east and a massive parking lot to the west. Photo: David Meyer
Cyclists and pedestrians must share this narrow, unpaved path shoved between construction to the east and a massive parking lot to the west. Photo: David Meyer

Here are some more photos of the new esplanade and unencumbered bike path, courtesy of Streetsblog reader William Farrell:

will-south-street-1
will-south-st-2-1024x768

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Central Park Changes Have Eased Crossings for Pedestrians, New Data Shows

Pedestrians are waiting less time to cross the bustling six-mile loop after the city shortened crossing distances and replaced "stop" lights with yellow "yield" signals.

January 20, 2026

Memo to Mamdani: Rescind Central Park’s New 15-MPH Bike Speed Limit

The lower speed limit misapplies state law and sets a troubling precedent for cycling in New York City.

January 20, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: ‘Upstate Resident’ Edition

The New York Post should be embarrassed. But then, it wouldn't be the Post. Plus other news.

January 20, 2026

MLK Day Headlines: Transit Dignity Edition

Honoring The Dream, plus other news.

January 19, 2026

Mayor Mamdani Won’t Discuss The Ongoing NYPD Criminal Bike Crackdown That Candidate Mamdani Opposed

Hizzoner has gotten the question at least four times in the last 11 days and has yet to explain why he has not ended the NYPD's ticketing blitz against bikers.

January 16, 2026
See all posts