Concerns Rise Over Proposed Busways in Midtown Manhattan

Residents in Midtown Manhattan are voicing frustration over what they see as neglect from the Adams administration.

The city’s transportation department is considering a plan to either ban or limit cars on 34th Avenue. This initiative aims to create busways to enhance bus travel times and streamline truck deliveries between 3rd and 9th Avenues.

Drivers are being advised to avoid the busway extending from Third Avenue to Ninth Avenue altogether.

For vehicles that need access to 34th Avenue, they must exit at the next permissible turn.

Officials from the Department of Transportation mentioned that they hope to replicate the success witnessed on 14th Avenue. Reducing congestion, encouraging bus use, and minimizing accidents are among their goals.

Yet, there’s a significant distinction: 34th Avenue serves as an entrance and exit for both the Midtown and Lincoln tunnels.

Residents of Murray Hill are particularly anxious that vehicles exiting the Midtown Tunnel will spill into their local streets.

“This will just congest all our side streets,” voiced Murray Hill resident Michael Anne Lowe following a presentation from the DOT on June 2nd during a Community Board 6 Transportation Committee meeting.

Another local, Andrew Fein, added, “The collateral damage will be immense. Just abandon this project.”

The Murray Hill Neighborhood Association is determined to advocate for their community members.

“Limiting access for residents and businesses with entrances on 34th Avenue will create crowding, pose safety risks, and degrade the quality of life in our neighborhood,” stated Jessica Lavoie.

Each day, around 28,000 commuters utilize various express routes along the MS 34 bus lines and 34th Avenue itself.

A dedicated bus lane already exists on 34th Avenue.

However, MTA buses are reportedly averaging speeds as low as 5 mph on weekdays, with some days dipping to just 3 mph, as shared by Joseph Chiamonte, an analyst with NYC transit at MTA.

Transit officials highlighted that commuters lose approximately 750 hours due to delays each workday on 34th Avenue. In contrast, buses on 14th Avenue operate 15% more quickly when there are no cars present.

Crosstown traffic has been an ongoing issue in busy Manhattan corridors like 34th and 42nd streets for decades. I remember competing with the buses there a few years back, and it was painfully slow.

According to Rachel Eisenberg, a Senior Project Manager at DOT, nearly 47% of vehicles on 34th Avenue travel out of Manhattan, either to other boroughs or beyond the city limits.

She mentioned that the DOT plans to study how traffic diversions would be affected by restricting access on 34th Avenue.

However, critics claim the DOT is moving too quickly without adequate research.

Lavoie from the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association expressed surprise that Community Board 6 had not received sufficient analysis before the proposal for the 34th busway was introduced.

“Planning of this magnitude demands transparent, data-driven assessments and genuine community engagement with residents and businesses before any further steps,” she urged.

In defense of their proposal, the DOT claimed they are simply acting as facilitators.

“34th Street is among the busiest corridors in the city, with bus riders numbering 28,000 daily. It’s a key pedestrian area and crucial for tunnel access,” a DOT spokesperson remarked.

“The proposal has garnered support from all three local community boards. Our experience with 14th Avenue showed a 24% increase in bus speeds and a 42% reduction in congestion, all without harming local businesses. We welcome community input as we move forward.”

Restrictions on vehicular access to 34th Street could be set in place by late summer or fall, as indicated in the presentation.