Wonderfully roomy 10-foot protected bike lanes coming to Hell’s Kitchen in New York City

The New York City Department of Transportation has officially commenced construction on an extensive redesign of Tenth Avenue in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. The transformative project aims to create a safer and more accommodating environment for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike. The centerpiece of this initiative is the introduction of a wide, 10-foot protected bicycle lane, which is set to be among the broadest in Manhattan. It will be the same width as the motor vehicle lanes.

“We are reimagining Tenth Avenue for a safer, more sustainable future,” said NYC-DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “This project will deliver much-needed safety upgrades to the Hell’s Kitchen corridor and help support more efficient transportation options.”

The community-supported redesign involves a comprehensive approach to road safety, according to a press release. Key components include the installation of concrete pedestrian islands, designated signalized turn lanes, and bicycle parking facilities. These features collectively aim to shorten pedestrian crossing distances, calm vehicular traffic, and enhance visibility for all road users. Notably, the new design responds to community requests by increasing the number of concrete pedestrian islands from the initially proposed two to eight, between West 40th and West 51st streets.

The typical before-and-after configuration for Tenth Avenue with a 60-foot roadway

Council Member Erik Botccher praised the Hell’s Kitchen redesign, stating, “This redesign is going to transform Tenth Avenue from a four-lane highway to a people-centered corridor that is safer and more pleasant for our residents.” He underscored the importance of safety and a positive human experience in street design.

The safety enhancements extend to intersections as well. At critical junctions such as West 41st and West 42nd streets near the Lincoln Tunnel, dedicated left turn lanes with specialized signal timing will be implemented. These changes aim to reduce conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and turning vehicles. Such Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) have proven effective in reducing pedestrian deaths and serious injuries. Additionally, “offset crossings” or protected intersections will be introduced at various locations along Tenth Avenue to improve visibility and encourage safer driver turns.

Numerous advocacy groups have applauded NYC DOT’s efforts in this redesign.

“Protected bike lanes save lives. We’re glad to see construction start on the new 10th Avenue street safety upgrade. Street safety projects such as wider bike lanes and pedestrian protections are proven to increase bike ridership and are vital to keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Executive Director for Public Affairs at Transportation Alternatives. “We look forward to working with Commissioner Rodriguez and breaking ground on projects like this in every borough.”

With construction now underway, this comprehensive redesign of Tenth Avenue is set to create a safer and more accessible corridor for all road users. The second phase of the project, covering West 14th to West 38th streets, is slated for implementation in 2024.