The city has completed changes to Riverside Drive at 72nd and 79th streets in an effort to make those areas more pedestrian-friendly. Both intersections previously had wide crossings that pedestrians had to rush across to beat the light. But the redesign has made the crossings shorter, as well as adding more crosswalks and bike lanes.
The city had held public hearings about the plans a few months ago, which led to some changes in the design, particularly at 72nd. Several locals told us the changes were welcome and long overdue. The Department of Transportation confirmed that the changes were completed about a week and a half ago.
By repainting the street and adding plastic barriers, the city narrowed Riverside Drive at 72nd from 63 feet to 38 feet, making it easier for people to cross from the corner to the park. The city also added a crosswalk that stretches across 72nd from the Northeast corner of the intersection to the South side of the block, and added parking on the North side of 72nd. The plan also changed the timing of the crossing signals. (Click photos to enlarge.)
At 79th, the city wanted to ease the congestion and confusion for pedestrians and bicyclists due to the four lanes of traffic exiting and entering the Henry Hudson Parkway. The redesign shortened the crossing length on the West side of the street at 79th, which had been 79 feet. It added crosswalks at the four on and off-ramps, and a new traffic signal at one of the off-ramps at the south side of the intersection.
The city also added markings on the street to show where bikes have the right of way — instead of having to carry bikes down the stairs at the Boat Basin, bicyclists can presumably use the same rotary as vehicles (one hearty bicyclist used the rotary while I was there, but it seems like it could still be dicey with enough vehicles on the road).
Also on Monday, workers were tearing up the sidewalk on the East side of the street at 79th, but it wasn’t clear whether that was related to the street-safety project.
Its much better, but there’s still a problem with the traffic light on 78th and Riverside Drive. Right-turning traffic coming off the Parkway piles up behind this light. The DOT should sync this signal with the west-east green light at 79th & Riverside Drive.
I still think it’s pretty pathetic that well-educated traffic engineers can’t come up with a less-ugly idea than installing white plastic sticks all over the place. Riverside & 72nd has definitely been taken down a notch in the good-looks department.
The redesign at Riverside & 72nd is a nice improvement. As a pedestrian, I feel much safer crossing that interesection now.
Would like for something to be done at Riverside & 95th. I often see motorists there exiting the highway, speeding to beat the light, and going through the red light.
Pretty sure it’s the cheapest way to do this quickly. Next time they rebuild the street I imagine they’d do it right? No idea when that might be, though Times Square is finally being upgraded after a few years of painted on pedestrian areas.
If you want to pony up for planters, I’d throw in a bit!
Alternatively, those big granite slabs are quite nice.
Maybe something to propose during participatory budgeting?
It would be great if something prettier could get some money during participatory budgeting, but failing that, I’d be happy to contribute. Does anyone know how to propose/organize? Write to Helen Rosenthal and ask?
How about fixing the disgraceful and long since neglected concrete traffic circles at both the 79th St and 96th St entrances and exits?
I hope this works, because they absolutely ruined West End Avenue, and it will eventually have to be at least partially returned to what it was. The last two times I drove north on it, I (repeatedly) had to drive into oncoming traffic to get around double-parked trucks.
I love what they did on West End Avenue!
I’ve driven on it (it was fine — but driving in the city is terrible as a rule), but really I walk it usually, and it’s a big improvement.
I wonder what a survey of local residents would say about DOT’s changes. Based on article comments, it would appear that residents don’t like them. I, for one, think the city screwed up 72nd and 79th street intersections by eliminating the northbound exit at 72nd Street and forcing such traffic to exit at 79th Street, creating 10+ years of major congestion.
Separately, instead of creating two lanes on the 79th Street southbound exit (long ago suggested to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal), the City in its ultimate wisdom has forced all traffic into one lane, thus creating dangerous backups (and further bottlenecks) that extend into the Westside Highway on busy days and nights.
Responding to TG:
You are absolutely right re West End Ave. The changes must have been wrought by a disabled traffic “analyst” who has never been on the street. I’ve written to Mayor DeBlasio, but the response is as quick as the
current crawl on West End Ave. Tell me, where does anything work? dbelgray@aol.com
Hate the “white sticks,” but more of them are needed. They’re spaced too far apart on the northeast corner of 72nd and Riverside as DRIVERS DRIVE RIGHT THROUGHT THEM!!!
At least Riversdie Drive and park get attention and consideration from DOT. WE asked that the bike station be moved from CPW between 71 & 72 Strs. be moved to north of 73 St – no dice! no erasers on those pencils. Vox populi? No – taxpayers be damned!
I walk across 79th every day. I love the changes. It will save lives. Same with West End. The best solution might be a foot bridge at 79th and 95th. Maybe the next family of someone murdered by car will donate the necessary funds.