Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan announced that the Green Light for Midtown pilot initiative to improve traffic and safety at Times and Herald Squares will be made permanent.
A comprehensive evaluation report submitted to the Mayor by the Department of Transportation found that the project increased taxi speeds by seven percent overall in West Midtown and greatly enhanced safety at two of the city's most accident-prone locations. A before-and-after analysis of vehicle speeds, using global-positioning data from more than 1.1 million taxi trips, showed the seven percent overall improvement in taxi speeds, which includes: a 17 percent increase in northbound travel speeds; a two percent decrease in southbound travel speeds; a five percent increase in eastbound travel speeds; and nine percent increase in westbound travel speeds. Safety at Times and Herald Squares improved dramatically, with a 63 percent reduction in injuries to motorists and passengers and a 35 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries.
"After an exhaustive review that showed positive results in all aspects, and overwhelming improvement in many areas, we've decided to make this groundbreaking pilot project permanent," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The most reliable data shows an overall seven percent increase in vehicle speeds, an improvement few thought could be achieved in midtown traffic. We found even better results in the area of safety, with dramatic reductions in accidents. Surveys indicate clear support among New Yorkers and local businesses for the project, and the increased foot traffic has been good for business. The bottom line is overall traffic in midtown has improved and New Yorkers and city businesses are benefiting from a Times and Herald Square that are safer, more exciting destinations."
"The new Broadway is here to stay," said Transportation Commissioner Sadik-Khan. "We will now design a world-class public space that's a new center stage for the greatest city in the world."
Public support for the project has been overwhelmingly positive - a Times Square Alliance survey this fall found 76 percent of all New Yorkers and 68 percent of retail managers in Times and Herald Squares said the project should be made permanent. The City will begin a process to design permanent changes to the plaza space in Times Square through a partnership with an array of professionals and stakeholders.
Permanent Plaza Improvements
The City will begin work immediately with local partners to improve the look and feel of the plazas in Times Square through a series of surface treatments. The initial work is intended to improve the aesthetics of the plazas, while a permanent capital project enters the design phase. A committee consisting of design professionals, stakeholders from Times Square, and representatives of the Mayor's Office, the Department of Transportation and the Public Design Commission will select new, temporary surface treatments for the Times Square area through a competitive process.
For the permanent design, a team will be selected through the Design and Construction Excellence program administrated by the Department of Design and Construction. This program utilizes some of the most creative and experienced design professionals in the world, who are creating signature public buildings and spaces across the city. The permanent redesign selection committee will consist of representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Design and Construction, the Times Square Alliance, the Department of City Planning, the Public Design Commission and the Mayor's Office. The redesign will incorporate new paving and permanent seating, as well as innovative underground event infrastructure to ensure Times Square is wired for sound and light to accommodate the signature events that occur there every year. The project will also completely reconstruct the roadways in Times Square, which have not been structurally repaired in decades.