Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycle Infrastructure

Eyes on the Street: DOT Preps Park Row for New Bike Connection and Sidewalk Expansion

A bi-directional bikeway and added sidewalk space are coming to Park Row in Chinatown, restoring public access after years of post-9/11 restrictions. Photos: Noel Hidalgo

Work has started on the new bikeway and sidewalk expansion on Park Row in Chinatown.

After 9/11, NYPD prohibited general motor vehicle traffic on Park Row, which is close to the agency's headquarters at 1 Police Plaza. NYPD checkpoints made it inhospitable for walking and biking.

For years local residents and businesses have called on the city to loosen restrictions on public access. Last summer there was finally a breakthrough as DOT announced plans for a two-way bike lane and 10,000 square feet of painted sidewalk space between Worth Street and Frankfort Street [PDF].

With temperatures (slowly) rising, DOT crews are getting started on this year's bike projects, and it looks like the Park Row redesign will be among the first batch. Noel Hidalgo has been tracking the early progress on Twitter.

Here's a look at the old markings getting removed yesterday:

And here's some prep work from earlier today:

When complete, the project will be a major improvement for north-south bike trips passing under the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as a boon for bridge access from Chinatown. Some tour bus companies may be allowed to use the street, but private vehicle traffic will otherwise remain prohibited.

Rendering of the completed project, via City Hall, showing the bike lane lined with NYPD vehicles.
Rendering of the completed project, via City Hall, showing the bike lane lined with NYPD vehicles.
Rendering of the completed project, via City Hall, showing the bike lane lined with NYPD vehicles.
park_row_frankfort
The Park Row bikeway will connect to the Brooklyn Bridge via a two-way segment on Frankfort Street. Image: NYC DOT
Painted bike lanes on Frankfort and Dover will connect southbound cyclists from Park Row to Lower Manhattan and the waterfront. Image: NYC DOT
Painted bike lanes on Frankfort and Dover will connect southbound cyclists from Park Row to Lower Manhattan and the waterfront. Image: NYC DOT
Painted bike lanes on Frankfort and Dover will connect southbound cyclists from Park Row to Lower Manhattan and the waterfront. Image: NYC DOT

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

OPINION: Actually, Amazon’s Cargo E-Bikes are Good!

Amazon’s e-cargo bikes alleviate the need for delivery vans and reduce traffic collisions. They also look rad.

August 5, 2025

Inside Instacart’s Astro-Turf Group Opposing Worker Minimum Wage

Instacart is trying everything to pressure the mayor to veto a bill that would require the company to pay its workers minimum wage.

August 5, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Hit-And-Run Edition

A look at this year's traffic stats. Plus other news.

August 5, 2025

DOT Reveals Transformational Plan For Flatbush Ave. — But Needs To Get The Details Right

The bus-first transformation is an ambitious project that could speed buses by 20 percent while also calming the roadway's notorious traffic. But it's not perfect.

August 4, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: We’re Living Rent Free in Mayor Adams’s Brain Edition

Mayor Adams doesn't want you talking about his record on bike lanes. Plus more news.

August 4, 2025

Here’s A Bus Rapid Transit Plan For New York … If the City Cares

It sure beats the current method of guessing or simply basing the route on how strongly a given neighborhood opposes or supports it.

August 1, 2025
See all posts