FINANCIAL DISTRICT — The Department of Transportation is rolling out a shared bike and pedestrian lane in front of the Battery Maritime Building, filling a missing link in the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the agency said.
The DOT plans to paint a curb extension this month in front of the more-than-100-year-old 10 South St. building, which serves as the terminal for the free ferry to Governors Island, said DOT project manager Preston Johnson during a recent Community Board 1 presentation.
The lane would create a much-needed connection between the bike paths on the East River Esplanade to the north, and Peter Minuet Plaza and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to the south, Johnson said.
An extended, demarcated sidewalk in front the building will improve safety for pedestrians and bikers as they walk along the street, often in a busy traffic lane for cars headed to the FDR Drive.
“What we want to do is provide them (bikers and pedestrians) with a safer path,” Preston said.
The bike path is slated to be complete in October, Preston said.
The Battery Maritime Building is set to eventually be converted to a hotel.