In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Council announced that 40 miles of streets citywide will be opened to pedestrians and bicyclists to allow for greater social distancing as the weather gets warmer.

The Open Streets initiative is coming to our neighborhood today.  We will have three blocks free of thru-traffic*: from 25th Street to 28th Street blocks on Broadway.  In nearby Flatiron, there will also be three blocks free of thru-traffic*on Broadway, from 21st Street to the south side of 23rd Street.  Pedestrians and bicyclists can use the roadbed of the street — while keeping social distancing of at least six feet — and must wear a face mask in public.

Open Street hours will be from 10:00 a.m.  to 6:00 p.m.

Cross streets will remain open to vehicular traffic.

*Especially to be noted is that while no thru-traffic is permitted, the Open Street program does allow for local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, and emergency vehicles.  Pedestrians and bicyclists should be alert to this traffic as well as the cross-street traffic.

Drivers making local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, and driving emergency vehicles are asked to be vigilant and drive 5 MPH along Open Streets routes.

Questions about the City’s Open Streets Initiative? Find out more on the NYC DOT Open Streets Webpage. You can also call 311 or text 311-692.