Gothamist: NYC Almost Killed Churchill

Toby

Mon, 08 May 2006 18:13:39 -0500

Now Wikipedia says: This traffic pattern was introduced in September of 1942 as part of Mayor LaGuardia temporary wartime conservation measures. Odd.

Mae

Mon, 08 May 2006 17:12:15 -0500

QUESTION: when did Fifth Avenue turned one way below 135th? Between 1966 - 1967 TWO two-way avenues [Madison Avenue + Fifth Avenue] became one-way. Since all the bus stops had to be repositioned, this was not an overnight thing. - - come up and see MAE http://MaeWest.blogspot.com - -

Toby

Mon, 08 May 2006 17:02:24 -0500

The Wikipedia article says: This traffic pattern was introduced in 1952 after a Department of Traffic study. However the accuracy of Wikipedia is questionable.

Guy

Mon, 08 May 2006 15:20:02 -0500

I can't find a web source, but a good guess would be in the 1960s when Henry (Hank) A. Barnes became traffic commissioner after almost single handedly creating that job position in various cities all over the US previous NYC. I wish I hadn't lost my copy of his autobiography, "The Man With Red and Green Eyes", which explains a lot of his policies. It's a lot more entertaining than it sounds...if you ever come across this in the used bins, let me know!!! Short bio at wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Barnes