Bonus. A City Project Transformed Herald Square Into The Pedestrian-Friendly Area It Is Today

The 2009 Broadway Boulevard project conducted by the New York City Department of Transportation aimed to address the issue of vehicular congestion along Broadway and to better meet pedestrian needs in the crowded intersections it formed. Broadway’s position as a diagonal street across Manhattan’s gridlock street pattern meant that it had opportunities for abnormal intersections, but also potential for great public spaces.

One of the biggest changes that occurred was the complete closure of Broadway to vehicle traffic at Herald Square. As a result, there was room for new pedestrian plazas, as well as longer signal times for vehicles along adjacent avenues. There are still more modifications to come.

Next, try the The Top 10 Secrets of Macy’s in Herald Square NYC and Vintage Photos: The Evolution of Times Square from 1898 to Today. Discover more from the book Broadway by Untapped Cities founder Michelle Young.