The Water Street streetscape improvements will be completed in summer 2013

Over the coming months, the city Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to expand pedestrian space and enhance safety along Water Street. The changes were presented to Community Board 1, which in July 2010 had passed a resolution in favor of the corridor enhancements, after a study that year by the Alliance for Downtown New York.

View the DOT's full presentation here.

DOT's Urban Design Department plans to begin the non-permanent streetscape alterations this spring, beginning with restriping the roadway between Fulton and Whitehall Street to "neck down" as it narrows. The goal is to better define the pedestrian and vehicular spaces, clarify crosswalks, and add pedestrian "bump outs" at corners -- where they typically already stand in the parking lane.

Because southbound traffic volumes are consistently lower than northbound, from Old Slip southward to Whitehall, motorists will travel in a single lane (rather than the two that currently exist). The added space allows the DOT to create wider walkways and expand the Whitehall pedestrian plaza, which is demarcated by double white lines and painted gravel sidewalk extensions. Granite block, planters, and flexible delineators will improve safety in those areas, and movable tables and chairs will be added.

Studies also indicated that both Coenties Slip (from Pearl to Water) and Gouverneur Lane (from Water to Front) were used far more by pedestrians than vehicles, so the DOT plan will transform them into pedestrian plazas. The plazas also will beautify the two short blocks, and create a safer passage to and from the ferry terminal at Pier 11 and the new East River Esplanade. 

Bus stops along Water Street will be consolidated in several areas, and the new striping plan will maintain that buses can directly reach the curb for ADA compliance. During midday hours, the agency also will make express-bus stop areas commercial-loading zones. More free curb space will allow space for food trucks, and other streetscape improvements such as more trees, wayfinding signs, new lighting, and benches. 

The DOT also is collaborating with the city Parks and Recreation Department to replace trees in the area that were uprooted during Hurricane Sandy.

The agency is beginning outreach to local stakeholders, and working with the Alliance to help organize and maintain the areas once they are installed. The program is temporary, and can be altered depending on how well traffic flows in the modified lanes.

The proejct is expected to be complete by approximately Labor Day.

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