In a surprising move, the Adams administration has put the brakes on a planned busway on 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, a project initially set to commence this year.
Officials within the administration have confirmed that despite strong backing from local elected officials and community boards, the project is now under review, leaving supporters frustrated about the halt.
‘We’ve been told we shouldn’t continue work on it,’ remarked a source familiar with the developments.
The proposed busway aims to emulate the successful 14th Street project, restricting vehicle traffic across 34th Street between Third Avenue and Ninth Avenue.
This initiative, which once faced cancellation during the Bloomberg administration, seemed ripe for revival, particularly following the successful installation of multiple busways throughout the city and the implementation of congestion pricing earlier this year.
The Adams administration had included this busway proposal in its 2024 transportation strategy, intended to leverage the reduced traffic resulting from congestion pricing.
What’s particularly frustrating for advocates is that the Department of Transportation (DOT) had already garnered significant neighborhood support, with only a few dissenting voices opposing the project.
Prominent City Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, alongside other local officials, recently expressed their backing for the busway in a letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.
Bottcher highlighted the importance of 34th Street as a crucial corridor for transportation, stating, ‘From Penn Station to the Empire State Building, 34th Street deserves to be a corridor that works for everyone — riders, pedestrians, and small businesses alike.’
The sudden pause in the project’s progress has left many officials exasperated, particularly Council Member Powers, who noted that this isn’t an isolated incident for the Adams administration.
He pointed out that the handling of the 34th Street busway is reminiscent of past instances where transportation enhancements were abruptly halted after being deemed essential for community members.
‘We have a great example from 14th Street that proves out this kind of project, and we do not want to find out another example from this administration of them making last-minute decisions to pull important projects without consulting with the elected officials or giving us an alternative plan,’ Powers remarked.
At Manhattan Community Board 6, a vote in favor of the busway saw overwhelming support, with 31 votes in favor and only five against.
Nevertheless, the presence of any opposition appears to have caused anxiety within the administration regarding the project’s viability.
‘Opposition is what’s caused this work to be stopped,’ noted another administration official, adding uncertainty about how long the delay may last.
Earlier this June, the DOT had informed Community Boards 4, 5, and 6 of its intention to conduct traffic analysis and refine its proposal for the busway, with ambitions to see it implemented by late summer or fall of this year.
Transportation advocates criticized Mayor Adams, arguing that his actions contradict his portrayal as a supporter of working-class New Yorkers while stalling a project that would directly benefit predominantly working-class bus riders.
‘Declaring concern for working people while blocking these improvements is absurd,’ said Riders Alliance Director of Policy and Communications Danny Pearlstein, urging immediate action on the busway implementation.
The extensive work already completed and community support gathered has led advocates to voice their disappointment vehemently toward the administration.
‘It’s egregious that this project — which will improve one of Manhattan’s busiest, slowest, and most congested corridors — is being paused by the administration without word or warning,’ commented Transportation Alternatives Manhattan Organizer Emily Jaccobi.
The push for the 34th Street busway is just one of many transportation initiatives that have faced setbacks under Mayor Adams’s leadership.
Previous projects delayed or scrapped include potential bike lanes on Underhill Avenue, an offset bus lane on Fordham Road, and a protected bike lane on Ashland Place.
Recently, the mayor’s intention to dismantle a section of a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue has faced legal challenges, highlighting a broader pattern of transportation project mismanagement.
Powers expressed his dismay regarding the Adams administration’s history of abruptly reversing well-understood transport plans.
‘As someone who rides the M34 frequently, I understand precisely how crucial this project is to improve bus travel along that corridor,’ he stated.
In closing, the halt of the 34th Street busway project is a continuing saga of conflict regarding transportation policy in New York City under the current administration.
Advocates and local officials remain hopeful that the administration will reconsider its recent decision and prioritize the project’s swift implementation for the benefit of the community.
image source from：nyc
