UNION SQUARE — Backing up an earlier report suggesting the closure of 14th Street to cars during the MTA’s impending L train shutdown, State Senator Brad Hoylman at a meeting last week suggested the street be permanently turned into a route for buses and bikes.
Hoylman was building on a report by the think tank Regional Plan Association, which argued that turning 14th Street into a commuter corridor would be one way to absorb some of the straphangers who normally ride the crosstown L train.
As with any proposal to close New York streets to private traffic, this is a controversial proposal, with some people applauding Hoylman’s suggestion and others calling it lunacy.
Here’s what some of our commenters on Neighborhood Square had to say:
Numerous commenters thought a permanent closure of 14th Street to private cars was a great idea.
►"Not even a question. Definitely. There should be no vehicles except MTA buses and emergency service vehicles on 14th street between 8AM and 8PM every day," wrote MikeLo.
►"YES! Can [this] be done by yesterday please?" wjfarr said.
►"Great idea! They might want to look more closely at the delivery truck situation, perhaps give them a bit more leeway during the day, but all noncommercial traffic and nonmedical traffic gone sounds like a great thing," DrBones wrote.
One commenter didn't think Hoylman's suggestion went far enough:
►"Yes! In fact, I believe all private cars should be banned in Manhattan south of 59th st.," wrote vainboxtech.
However, other readers worry that it would add to congestion on the side streets should cars need to find alternate routes across town.
►"I think banning cars from 14th St won't help the L train get fixed any faster; it'll just inconvenience people and cause more congestion and pollution on side streets. It might sound like a solution, but it isn't. Typical of the MTA when it's under pressure," mamarose said.
►"The last time that I was on the crosstown 14th Street bus and the L Train was out, the crowding was so bad it was hard to breathe. We are talking about a route that is is usually pretty well used even on Sunday. So will there be an increase in buses?" PCCNYC01 wrote.
►"Horrible idea! I take it the state senator does not live in Manhattan. Doing this would snarl traffic even more — what about the farmer's market, whole foods, all those huge businesses? They still need deliveries and that would tie up surrounding streets even more," wrote indysmom.
One reader thinks the whole idea requires more study before the city makes a decision.
►"I am not taking sides because I don't want to "jump to any conclusions" or "jumping the gun" on this remedy. Remember that the DOT and the MTA tried to make 34th Street a transit way? It is a total bust to a watered down street with bus lanes because of NIMBY [ed: “not in my back yard”] opposition from drivers, deliverymen and businesses, both big and small in the area. Don't be surprised that there will be NIMBY opposition on 14th Street too," said pvaldezriverajr.
