Park Avenue to Lose Traffic Lanes Between 46th and 57th Streets as Median Widens, With New Two-Way Protected Bike Lane

New York City on Sept. 17 unveiled its final plan to redesign 11 blocks of Park Avenue in Midtown, from 46th to 57th streets. The plan removes one traffic lane in each direction, converts one southbound lane into a two-way protected bike lane, and widens the center median to add seating and landscaping. The revised plan moves the bike lane to the roadway next to the median, based on feedback from residents.

New York City on Sept. 17 unveiled its final plan to redesign 11 blocks of Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, from 46th to 57th streets. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Mike Flynn, commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), announced the plan together. At its core, the plan removes one northbound and one southbound traffic lane and cuts one more southbound lane to make room for a two-way protected bike lane.

Wider Median to Get Seating and Landscaping; New Crosswalks

The median running down the middle of Park Avenue will be widened. The added space will include seating, planters and shade structures, and new crosswalks on each block will connect the median sections on foot. The city said it is designing the space with enough flexibility to host events such as temporary exhibitions and performances.

The plan is a revision of an earlier design, changed in response to community feedback. The original plan placed the two-way bike lane alongside the central pedestrian space, but after concerns that pedestrians and cyclists would mix, the bike lane was moved to the roadway next to the median, while the pedestrian space remains widened. Manhattan Community Boards 5 and 6 weighed in during the process.

Timed With Underground Work at Grand Central

This stretch runs directly above the Metro-North Railroad track structure at Grand Central Terminal. While the MTA replaces the underground structure and carries out waterproofing work, the city will rework the roadway above at the same time. Because the underground work will require digging up the street anyway, the city plans to use the opportunity to change the street-level design.

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "After consultation with the community boards, a plan emerged that widens the median and adds space for pedestrians, public art and landscaping." The announcement did not disclose when construction will begin or how much the project will cost. The design drawings and information on how to submit comments are available on the NYC DOT website (nyc.gov/dot).