Times Square Area Pedestrian Plazas to Be Made Permanent

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan have announced that the pedestrian plazas in the Times Square and Herald Square areas, called Green Light for Midtown, will be made permanent.

The initiative was begun last year as a pilot program, and studies conducted have indicated that it has improved safety and vehicle speeds, and Sadik-Khan has said that plans are now underway to design “a world-class public space that’s a new center stage for the greatest city in the world.”

Broadway League Charlotte St. Martin said in a statement, “For theatergoers, the Broadway plazas are a new stage in the world’s premier theater district. Times Square is hallowed ground for theater lovers and a point of pride for New Yorkers. By making these spaces permanent, the City has helped improve traffic flow to the area, and ensured that this iconic neighborhood remains vibrant and welcoming for future generations to come.”

For more information, including the full Green Light for Midtown Evaluation Report, visit www.nyc.gov.