By Gus Saltonstall
A bustling Upper West Side thoroughfare is getting a mid-block crosswalk and new traffic light in the coming weeks.
As first announced in Upper West Side Councilmember Gale Brewer’s latest newsletter, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will be installing a new mid-block pedestrian crossing and traffic signal on West 72nd Street, between Amsterdam and Columbus avenues.
The city’s decision to install the new crosswalk comes after a request from Brewer to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez in April.
“I write on behalf of residents and businesses on West 72nd Street between Broadway and Columbus Avenue requesting a mid-block crossing with a signal light,” Brewer wrote. “Residents and businesses agree that pedestrians regularly jaywalking in the middle of West 72nd Street is an untenable and dangerous situation for pedestrians and drivers alike.”
Following Brewer’s request, the DOT performed a study of the 72nd Street corridor, and then earlier this month, confirmed to the Upper West Side elected official that the agency would go forward with the installation.
“72nd Street between Broadway/Amsterdam and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan is a popular destination, though its long blocks mean visitors often walk far distances to cross the street safely,” a DOT spokesperson wrote to West Side Rag in an email. “This new mid-block crossing will make access significantly easier while improving safety for both pedestrians and drivers.”
Neither Brewer nor the DOT outlined specifically where the new crosswalk and traffic signal would go, but as of Monday morning, there is what appears to be a crossing outlined at the mid-point of 72nd Street, between Columbus and Amsterdam.
The installation of the new crosswalk and traffic signal is expected to begin next week and continue into the fall, the DOT spokesperson added to the Rag.
West Side Rag will keep an eye out for developments.
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Christmas come early, thank you Gale!
I noticed them working on this yesterday, hope they add some cut ins as well to narrow the distance, its a very wide street and drivers are frequently speeding down this stretch of 72nd.
Lived here my whole life.
IMO there are not frequent speeders.
Some speeders yes – but not frequent.
BTW 72nd use to be very quiet.
Big change especially when TJ’s opened as a “destination”
Not against the mid-block crossing, especially if the lights are synchronized properly. But there’s always cops and a speed camera on the next block west and having spent time there myself, frequent speeding is hyperbole.
There’s rarely a cop with a speed camera on the block between BroadwayAmsterdam and West End.
Cops are not “with” speed cameras. Speed cameras are mounted on poles, and to my experience, that would be pretty unusual for a cop.
I see your point, my mistake.
Now, speed cameras aren’t real effective at stopping speeding.
And there’s plenty of it northbound on Amsterdam at that intersection.
But there are always cops parked on 72nd and Broadway looking to give tickets. Same with 79th and Amsterdam. There’s a speed camera mounted on 72nd between Broadway and West End.
They are parked outside the subway stations, and for good reason. For catching speeders? Never once witnessed that.
One ticket that they love to give is for people making an illegal left turn off West 72nd Street on to either Broadway or Amsterdam.
I think the 79th and Amsterdam cops are there for shoplifting at the Duane Reade, no speeding.
(There should be speed cameras at every intersection.)
79th and Amsterdam is a popular traffic enforcement spot. Prior to COVID, the precinct’s traffic enforcement officer who is now retired always parked there.
Great idea!
Stop the constant double parking next.
This is a definite improvement!
West 72nd Street is the wild west and when I’m on a bike I never ride there. Double Parkers making u-turns, people coming out of garages without looking. This is a good start more needed. Thanks for the great reporting!
I believe there is only one garage on 72nd Street – the garage at 15 West 72nd Street.
808 ft, people, 808 ft. And that’s will apply only to the very few and very specific cases when someone on the mid-point of one side of the street, needs to go directly to the mid-point at the other side.
Can’t think of anyone who can’t benefit from walking 808 feet more.
I can: me. I am handicapped and deliberately just barely walk ten blocks a day, very slowly, takes me 1/2 hour. 808 feet is over three blocks and unless I’ve programmed it in, it’s too much.
You are forgetting about people who are elderly, frail or have a disability. This crosswalk is a very good idea!
Except anyone who can’t walk
Pedestrianize the whole thing and the whole neighborhood can benefit from more walking!
And I can’t think of anyone who can’t benefit from a midblock crosswalk.
Lots of us oldsters will benefit.
From walking less?! Ask your doctor if they agree.
I assume you are fairly young fand able bodied. That’s nice. Everyone isn’t. It’s not that they can’t benefit from more walking, it is that they simply can’t do it. I am always scared when I see someone crossing 72nd mid block because almost invariably they have a cane or walker and are the last person who should be dodging cars. But goibg to the corner and back would require a rest stop and that isn’t always possible
Sorry to go on about my own point, but play this out for me. You can’t make it to the corner and back. Or you need a rest on way (what’s the problem with taking one, exactly?). What part makes this not always possible?
And, despite all this, then you decide that whatever’s mid-block across the street is all that important, or, despite your age and ailments, you need it that fast (what’s the rush, exactly) – that it’s worth risking your life, then and there?
And there’s a whole group of you who live mid-block and are in that same position?
I know the fried chicken right there, but come on…
What an odd take on all of this. What harm can a crosswalk be there for people who walk slowly because of age or ailment or with kids in tow and for whom walking, yes, can be difficult but t they do the best they can and want to access businesses on both sides of the street. And where exactly are you suggesting to rest. Maybe see ho you feel when you’re in your 70’s or laid up with any kind of injury.
Is W 72nd St covered with benches for people to sit and rest? Note that cafe tables don’t count since people can’t order food every time they need a break.
As for risking your life, the new crossing will eliminate that problem.
We don’t know how many people needing to cross mid-block are presently walking to one of the four existing corners. And I assume lots of people will choose to cross mid-block as both sides of the street are filled with commercial establishments. And anything to provide more control over cars isn’t a bad thing.
Agreed. Just walk to the corner to cross. Who really finds themselves mid-block and only then realizes they belong on the other side of the street?! This makes no sense. Waste of money.
um lots of people
Me all the time.
NY’ers see jaywalking as their God given right and there’s a reason for it and a reality there.
Everyone all the time. Just stand mid block and count the people running across the street mid block. Regardless of ease of walking extra, people don’t do it. You can either bang your head against the wall or put in a mid block cross walk.
Not even about the money. I’d venture a wild guess that the DOT will manage to screw this up (if they even did any kind of a real study) and create massive jam, especially during rush hour. What will it be now – 7 traffic lights in a little over 0.6 miles from CPW to the highway ramp?
Induce traffic, then charge for it.
you can always not drive
Most vehicles are commercial – delivery, Uber. And buses.
The LIRR in particular is known for providing subpar service and then when people complain to the MTA, their employees then troll their own customers telling them that if they don’t like the subpar service that they should go drive. Riders Alliance calling the LIRR a luxury service on Twitter does not help either. With this condescending attitude, we need the threat of people willing to drive in order to induce better service rather than try to make Manhattan into a de facto gated community.
For a time, we had a bus stop in front of the Citibank, on the East side of 72nd Street. Any chance we could bring that back? The westbound buses have two stops, one at the corner of Amsterdam and the other across Broadway in front of Bloomingdale’s.
The bus stop on the corner of Amsterdam was only there temporarily, while the Dorothy Parker building was torn down and renovated. It definitely made more sense than having 2 bus stops btwn Broadway and WEA.
What’s the east side of West 72nd Street?
I believe they’re referring to the southeast side of 72nd.
The side with the eastbound buses … toward Central Park … that is east.
This will be a drop in the bucket compared with the huge changes DOT will be making to 72nd in the coming year.
What are the changes?
And why?
I remember reading about some potential changes – can you let us know what will be coming to 72nd St. ?
Sounds great, would love more changes just like this!
Some changes may be good, but the urbanists push for so much change and can be so condescending and arrogant that it is off putting and makes people support doing stuff like ripping out bike lanes.
If it meant Eclair was being reopened, then its parade of customers would make this necessary.
This just encourages more jaywalking
I jaywalk on that block all the time. Now I might actually have the light sometimes.
How is that?
Please explain. Jaywalking across 72nd Street is probably presently spread across both sides of the middle of the block; this will encourage people to stop jaywalking and use the new light.
I might have to respectfully disagree. In my experience, the mid-block jaywalking happens when when you don’t catch the light to cross from south to the north side of 72nd and you want to head west. So, instead, you walk west on the South side of 72nd street and then carefully cross mid-block (jaywalking) when given the chance. I, for one have found this unsafe, and with all the u-turners and double parked cars – this can be extremely risky. With the new solution, if you miss the light to cross 72nd street – you can safely walk west and cross mid block at a crosswalk! I’m looking forward to that. They did this on 42nd street between 8th and 7th to great effect.
This is a cool idea, looking forward to it! Frankly it could make sense for WEA to Bway too. They are both unusually long blocks..
FINALLY‼️
I only have been asking for this for the past 57 years!!! 🚦
Totally unnecessary.
Neither Brewer nor this article mention anything about cyclists who will likely be closer than ever to pedestrians if curb extensions are used. Nothing stops bicyclists, not red lights, not pedestrians. Maybe strategically placed speed bumps on either side of the crosswalk might save some lives.
This is going to cause more pedestrian accidents because cyclists will not be expecting people to cross in the middle of the street.
Maybe when they see the traffic light they will? Whaddya think?
right yet they are doing this car of the cars that double park and make illegal uturns.
Oh no the scary dangerous cyclists. Not the speeding reckless drivers of cars, trucks and vans though.
you will still need to watch out for e-bikes rolling through the red light.
if they can elevate the crosswalk that will at least slow down the e-bikes.
excellent idea
This is great! Ever since Gartners moved across the street I support more services on both sides of 72nd. I dutifully have been crossing at corners like everyone else but this increases accessibility to businesses and I favor that.
Happy to see this!
Maybe they should make pedestrian bridges or tunnels so people don’t have to walk all the way to the corner to cross.
Maybe they should get rid of the cars instead.
This is a good first step but lets please please please close 72 from west end to the park to anything other than pedestrians , buses, bikes, taxies and deliveries. Our seniors would be able to get where the need to go faster. And we’d create a commercial corridor to help our small businesses. Think big!
If 72nd were closed from WEA to thr park wouldn’t that put much more traffic on Riverside Blvd as people who would have gone north on CPW or Amsterdam to 72nd St to get on the Westside Highway would onstead turn on 66th and onto Riberside Blvd? I don’t think that street can handle more traffic.
If the concern is about seniors, please note that some seniors do rely on Access a Ride and also cars driven by family/friends.
Also bicyclists (especially those going through red lights) are certainly a danger to seniors. More bicyclists would not be safer for seniors.
And some of the local business owners do drive in, use cars to bring supplies etc.
Lastly, many are unaware that there is considerable ecommerce (meal kits, fresh dog food, Instacart) delivery by gig workers using personal cars.
The problem is that the “open streets” crowd really wants streets only “open” to people like them and who live the same lifestyle that they do. This isn’t about “livable streets” for all, this is about power, money and control and them being the loudest voices in the room and tomorrow’s hack.
…and continue into the fall. Golly gee we are slow!
Nearby Riverside Blvd between 70th and 66th has had several pedestrians hit, with one person killed, yet the city refuses to approve traffic lights or speed bumps. Drivers ignore and blow through the stop signs on the boulevard. Why is this not a priority for the area?
Recently the crosswalk next to the entry to Riverside Park was paved over and not drawn back in. It feels like risking your life every time you cross the street. When will the city give this attention?
Eleni,
Yes baffling that DOT has not put a light there when clearly a need.
Yet DOT does all sorts of “vehicle limiting” projects where there is little or no need.
Malt,
Agreed! The neighborhood has submitted multiple requests for help from the DOT, denied every time. It makes absolutely no sense.
Agree. It is bad enough even with the painted crosswalks. And it will probably get worse when they open up the stretch of RSB currently closed to cars between 59th and 61st.
I didn’t even think of that. And yes, even when the crosswalks were painted it was terrible. Should be called the Upper Wild West.
General question arising from the photo – anyone knows why half the streets on the UWS, from 96th to, apparently, 72nd have been stripped in the last month (some of them barely two seconds after they’d been redone, repaved, repainted, and bus-laned????)
I don’t know why, but I do know Broadway Milling put up signs overnight saying they were doing work from 6pm – 6am for two days. My block association, and many others, complained about noise when they started ripping the street up in the middle of the night. Our block association prez asked for their permit, and they could not produce one. We haven’t seen anything about further work since the initial notice. Super weird and very annoying.
I think this is a brilliant idea, its a very long and busy block and to be able to cross mid-block will make shopping and errands so much easier!!
So in New York we work with the criminals. If you commit a crime, you are immediately released and have cashless bail. If you buy and smoke pot and we can’t stop it, we will make it legal. If you jay walk, we will make it legal and make it easier for you
Will Citibike riders stop at the red light?
Good good. Long overdue.
While I don’t find 72nd Street to be particularly problematic for traffic, this raises the continual concern – bicyclists (mostly Citibike) who ignore traffic rules, go through red lights etc.
Situating a light mid-block may make people feel safer – but will be deceptively “safe” if bicycles are whizzing through red lights while vehicles stop.
And reminder – a light will slow the M72.
The bike bros don’t care about buses unless it is to spite car drivers!