[14th Street at 4th Avenue looking east yesterday]
In recent weeks, I've noted how the city continues to prep 14th Street for its expanded role during the 15-month L-train closure next spring, including the markings for the Select Bus Service (SBS) lane between First Avenue and Third Avenue and the arrival of the dedicated bike lanes on 12th Street and 13th Street.
As previously reported, 14th Street will serve as a (mostly) car free busway for displaced subway commuters.
In an article posted Tuesday, Crain's (HT KT!) pointed out the latest alteration: red traffic lanes at 14th Street intersections between Third Avenue and Ninth Avenue, "which will signal that motorists must exit."
To Crain's:
By April, white Bus Only wording will be stenciled in the black boxes to make the message clear. Similar restricted lanes are planned for Delancey Street between the Williamsburg Bridge and the Bowery.
You can kind of see the full effect in this dodging-traffic shot...
And next?
Also to come are pedestrian walkways on 14th Street to relieve jammed sidewalks, as well as designated curbside loading zones for businesses.
This is what that plan (unveiled this past summer) looks like via the city...
Meanwhile, here's (part of) the area in front of the future tech hub, which will be a construction zone starting in the first quarter of 2019 ... likely making 14th Street even more stressed...
Back to Crain's:
The storm-related repairs to the East River crossing could drive 275,000 daily underground commuters to ground level at 14th Street, where the city plans to direct cars from the thoroughfare and run 80 buses per hour.
This SBS service launches on Sunday, April 21.
Previously on EV Grieve:
Nightmare scenario for residents who learn that 14th Street and Avenue A will be the main staging area for the L-train reconstruction
Prepping for the new protected bike lanes on 12th and 13th streets
Bike lane line work continues on 12th Street
1st signs of the 14th Street SBS lane
More signs of the 14th Street SBS lanes