Construction began last week for a pedestrian-friendly makeover of Broadway, according to multiple published reports.

The start of work, announced by Mayor Eric Adams, is a component of the first phase of the Broadway Vision plan which aims to improve safety and car-free spaces between Madison Square and Herald Square. Among other improvements, plans call for the construction of new pedestrian plazas, share streets, and a two-way bike lane on Broadway between West 25th Street and West 32nd Street.

Scope of work between Madison Square and Herald SquareNYC DOT

The new pedestrian plazas will be created by prohibiting vehicles along the segment of Broadway between West 25th and West 27th Street, leaving space for outdoor dining within the roadway. The remaining section of the project, from 27th to 32nd Street, will be a "shared street" in which vehicles are deterred, but not banned outright.

The range of improvements will also include curb extension to shorten pedestrian crossing, wider crosswalks, and reconfigured curbs to allow for smoother loading and unloading. Bike amenities, seating, landscaping, Citi Bike hubs, and bike parking are also planned for the corridor.

Similar upgrades are expected to be extended to the stretch between Union Square and Columbus Circle at a future date.