Glowing Pedestrian Tunnel Opens In Midtown: See It

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — If your nightly walk around the neighborhood takes you near Broadway in the Garment District, you may find yourself in the middle of a colorful, bright pedestrian tunnel over the next few weeks.

The new art installation, dubbed "Passage," consists of 20 circles of light that line Broadway between West 39th and 40th streets. They were put in place Monday and will remain through Feb. 13.

Created by artist Serge Maheu, they were installed by the Garment District Alliance, aiming to create a "transformative, playful experience" during an otherwise dreary period of winter.

Besides the colorful circles, the installation also emits sounds, amounting to an immersive experience for those who pass through. It was first fabricated and presented in Montreal in 2017, before heading to Manhattan with support from the Québec Government Office in New York.

“Passage is truly a fantastic exhibition that has transformed the pedestrian experience on Broadway with its bright, colorful presence,” Garment District Alliance President Barbara A. Blair said in a statement.

“As we kick off the new year, we encourage New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy this outdoor immersive installation as part of their visit to the Garment District.”

The Québec government has sponsored other artworks in the neighborhood in past years, including the colorful "Prismatica" installation last year.

"With Passage, Québec’s creativity shines on Broadway for the fifth year in a row, and the Garment District Alliance demonstrates its strong leadership in presenting world-class public art that brings life and culture into public spaces,” said Martine Hébert, Québec’s Delegate General in New York, in a statement. “Bravo to all involved!”