Gothamist: Post Manufactures "Road Rage" at Broadway Boulevard

boris256

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 22:40:38 -0500

What worries me is that they haven't actually done anything to reduce cars other than to make driving slightly more annoying. That means we have less space for the autos that actually should be on Manhattan roads - the ambulances, fire trucks and cop cars. Screw out of town drivers. The only way to reduce cars is to (1) provide alternatives and (2) make cars more expensive. NJ Transit has park-and-rides at its stops, and can afford to add more train service. It's the New Yorkers who are getting screwed, the ones who live so far away from a subway line that just getting to it on public transportation takes the same amount of time as the entire trip by car. And don't even get me started about Staten Island, where I live. There are traffic jams in New York because public transit fails to meet the needs of many city residents and 75% of out-of-town domestic visitors. Bloomberg is essentially forcing the issue at the state and perhaps even national level by limiting access for cars. While it is a noble endeavor, it will be years until public transit catches up with the new demand.

Spiritof76

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:31:47 -0500

Fishing for credit, Zodak? I would have expected better. I guess the haters will be commenting on this a little later this evening. Any bets on whether "thefacts" or Snoopy will weigh in on the side of cars? As for Silitsky, what do you expect? New Jersey loves its cars more than anything. Even my NJ friends admit that.

evidiot

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:34:33 -0500

I walk by this stretch of Broadway every day, and I've never seen a traffic jam there... not before they put this in, and not since. Most traffic is avoiding Herald Square and going down 7th Avenue, anyway. But the Post didn't bother to notice that... even though their picture shows it in full color. You're not inconveniencing drivers if they're not there to begin with.

zodak

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:07:30 -0500

who took that photo? it's an awesome picture. ;)

Billiamsburg

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:49:53 -0500

the post is the paper for the fat, stained tank top wearing native who has RIGHT to own a car and a RIGHT to drive it two blocks to the Dunkn Donuts and it's everyone else who is wrong and they should all go back to Ohio!

JMH

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:37:38 -0500

well newsflash - have you seen an ambulance or fire truck trying to get down one of these two lanes of traffic during the workday? it's not a problem until it effects you, but believe me, this will further impede response time in emergencies - as if traffic was not already bad enough. Look at the picture attached to the article in the Post. Look at how much space is allocated to each car compared to how much space is allocated to each pedestrian. Even if you assume each of those cars has four, five or six people in it, they're still taking up more space per person than the peds and cyclists. The problem is that there are too many freaking cars and trucks in the city, not that there are too many pedestrians. I agree with ianmac47, close it to cars altogether (from Times Square to Union Square, say), keep one wide lane open for buses and emergency vehicles, and let the rest be space for people.

Murray Hillster

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:46:15 -0500

""I think it is completely useless . . . It doesn't do anything for Midtown," said New Jersey commuter Jason Silitsky, 24." I enjoy the fact that the picture in the article shows it crawling with people in direct contrast to Silitsky's idiotic comment. I think it's great. Maybe it'll be less crowded in Winter, but I can guarantee the smokers will be out there in droves. Now, it's packed throughout the day and well into the night. Tourists, in particular, seem to love taking a break there. The traffic is a little more congested, but Broadway was underutilized on that stretch before the addition. The most significant problem is the placement of the bike lane and the fact that pedestrians don't seem to recognize what it is. I think it is unfortunate that it was placed there. I understand the decision, nevertheless, it's not the best solution. The other problem is that there are no ashtrays. The sandpaper-like ground is coated in cigarette butts. I suppose it's too much to ask smokers not to litter all over the place.

nicemarmot

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:42:13 -0500

Who the hell cares about drivers? If you drive into this city you're asking for pain. What worries me is that they haven't actually done anything to reduce cars other than to make driving slightly more annoying. That means we have less space for the autos that actually should be on Manhattan roads - the ambulances, fire trucks and cop cars. Screw out of town drivers.

abzme

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:22:30 -0500

I hate cars. But I hate foot traffic more. I like having tons of room to walk because the fat people in this city walk too damn slow. MORE SIDEWALKS!

ianmac47

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:02:10 -0500

Drivers should be lucky to have two lanes. Close it to everything but buses and emergency vehicles. That was the best thing that came out of the subway strike.

Politburo

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:01:44 -0500

A lot of outdoor infrastructure is a waste of space in the winter. Seems like a red herring to me.

Steven

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:44:53 -0500

Good job on wasting money.

TJ

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:36:39 -0500

ha ha ha. oh those good-for-nothing Jersey drivers. too bad for them. well newsflash - have you seen an ambulance or fire truck trying to get down one of these two lanes of traffic during the workday? it's not a problem until it effects you, but believe me, this will further impede response time in emergencies - as if traffic was not already bad enough. again, where is the environmental impact study? and the Post is right (!) - these will be a total waste of space in the winter.

edEx

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:34:38 -0500

central park creates some serious traffic problems too—i wish they would just mow it on over—asphalt and road signs! fuck greenery all together...

camera_club

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:13:25 -0500

take back the streets! put up a wall, make that shit permanent

Jen Chung

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:13:11 -0500

Typically if something gets 30+ comments, it means it's something people like debating. Oh, and this is part of the Mayor's plan to green the city.

woodendesigner

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:12:20 -0500

Anyone driving through there is asking for a miserable time anyway. If the Jersey drivers are complaining that is only because they are horrible drivers to begin with. Anything less than three lanes wide and the odds that they will hit something go way up.

IvoryJive

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:55:08 -0500

Seems like Gothamist has a story about Broadway Boulevard two or three times a week. Is this because the 30+ heated comments this story is sure to generate are good for the blog - beefing up the stats or something?

zodak

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:50:13 -0500

the only problem is that people tend to walk in the bike path.