Cars Banned Near Rockefeller Tree To Cope With Holiday Crowds

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A city plan to improve pedestrian safety on Fifth Avenue and near Rockefeller Center for the holiday season will go forward with Mayor Bill de Blasio's blessing, the mayor announced Friday.

Starting Friday Nov. 29, a pedestrian zone will be created on West 49th and 50th streets between Fifth and Sixth avenues and four blocks along Fifth and Sixth avenues will be granted more pedestrian space by eliminating vehicle traffic lanes, de Blasio said during his weekly radio spot on WNYC. The mayor threw cold water on a similar plan in October, saying the safety plan had been publicized "prematurely."

During his radio appearance de Blasio admitted that a "congestion problem" exists on the busy Midtown streets as holiday shoppers and tourists flock to the area. The mayor said the NYPD will have the discretion to close and open vehicle lanes along Fifth Avenue to adjust for congestion.

"We found a good balance that will really focus on keeping people safe."

Here's a list of streets will be affected by the safety plan:

• 49th and 50th Streets between 5th and 6th Avenues;
  • Streets will be closed between 2 p.m. and midnight from Monday to Thursday, 1 p.m. and midnight on Friday and 10 a.m. and midnight on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Fifth Avenue;
  • Barriers will be placed on the east and west sides of the avenue between 48th and 52nd streets, eliminating a lane of traffic on each side of the avenue.
  • Barriers will be in place between 5 p.m. and midnight during the week and between 12 p.m. and midnight on weekends.
• Sixth Avenue;
• Barriers will be placed on the east side of the avenue between 48th and 52nd streets, eliminating a lane of traffic. Police may remove the barriers depending on crowd conditions.
• Buses;
  • Buses will not stop between 48th and 52nd streets while the plan is in place.

Local City Councilmember Keith Powers, who pushed de Blasio to support the safety plan, described the holiday street changes as a "pilot" for a potential year-round pedestrian safety plan for the Rockefeller Center area.

"Earlier this year, I asked that the City re-imagine how we handle the immense congestion surrounding Rockefeller Center by pedestrianizing its nearby streets. Today’s announcement provides much-needed relief.... This pilot will give us a sense of how full pedestrianization can be achieved all year round, and demonstrates the value of thinking differently about how we use our streets," Powers said in a statement.

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer also supported the Rockefeller Center plan.

The street changes near Rockefeller Center will remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2020.

Patch editor Kathleen Culliton contributed to this report.