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City Officials Propose Redesign for Central Park Drives

By Natalie Musumeci | September 29, 2012 2:00pm
 City officials announced a plan Friday to improve the safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in Central Park by expanding the lanes for each.
City officials announced a plan Friday to improve the safety for pedestrians and bicyclists in Central Park by expanding the lanes for each.
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CENTRAL PARK — City officials have proposed an overhaul of the bike, pedestrian and traffic lanes in Central Park in the wake of complaints about collisions in the 250-acre greenspace.

The new plan, announced by the Department of Transportation will double the width of pedestrian walkways to 14 feet, while bike lanes will increase in width to 11 feet.

“Central Park is New York City's recreational oasis and this redesign will provide park visitors with safer and wider paths to walk, jog or bike,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Veronica White in a statement.

Currently, the upper loop, north of 72nd Street, has narrow bike and jogging lanes as well as a shift in traffic patterns during car-free hours, the DOT said.

The southern loop, suffers from a similar problem, as well as two to three lanes that are used by cars, forcing pedestrians to go long distances to cross the street.

The proposal would limit pedestrian exposure to traffic by reducing the number of lanes used by cars and separating pedestrians from cyclists with a barrier.