Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2015
Scott Gastel/Bonny Tsang (212) 839-4850

NYC DOT Unveils New Pedestrian Safety Improvements at the Intersection of 7th Avenue and West 4th Street

Improvements include expanded pedestrian space, expanded concrete triangle at the Christopher Street subway entrance, and a new crosswalk.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Manhattan Borough Commissioner Margaret Forgione announced that the pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of 7th Avenue South and West 4th Street. The intersection, where Christopher and Grove Streets also meet, is in the top 1% of Manhattan intersections for people killed or severely injured from 2009-2013 and is located in a Vision Zero Priority Area. Commissioner Forgione was joined by State Senator Brad Hoylman, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, Community Board 2 Chair Tobi Bergman and District Manager Bob Gormley, and President of 7th Avenue South Alliance Brooke Schooley.

“The intersection of 7th Avenue, West 4th Street, Christopher Street and Grove Street has been a complex and difficult area to cross in the West Village,” said DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Margaret Forgione. “Under Vision Zero, the DOT expanded pedestrian space and added a new crosswalk to give residents and all New Yorkers a more comfortable and safe route to reach their destinations.”

The DOT implemented the following safety improvements at the intersection of 7th Avenue and West 4th Street:

  • Sidewalk extensions with flexible delineators
  • Left turn only lane and flashing amber arrow on 7th Avenue South, approaching West 4th Street
  • New crosswalk across north side of 7th Avenue South and Christopher Street
  • New concrete expanded pedestrian island at Christopher Street subway station
  • New leading pedestrian interval signal at eastern West 4th Street crosswalk.

These improvements clarify vehicular movements, calm traffic, and slow turning vehicles. Additionally, pedestrians have more space and safer and shorter routes as they get to and from the subway entrance.

“Navigating the intersection at 7th Avenue South and West 4th Street, between the crush commuters from the Christopher street subway station, unclear street signs, and the constant flow of vehicles, has long been a dangerous proposition for pedestrians. With the Department of Transportation’s newly implemented safety improvements, however, what was formerly one of the most dangerous intersections in all of Manhattan has been transformed into a safe haven for pedestrians, bikers, commuters, and drivers alike,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman. I want to thank the Department of Transportation for inviting me to this event today and express my gratitude to the DOT, Community Board 2, Avenue South Alliance, and my colleagues Borough President Gale Brewer, Assemblymember Deborah Glick, and Councilmember Corey Johnson for their close collaboration in making Greenwich Village a safer neighborhood for residents and visitors and a model for future safety improvements.”

“These streets are truly the crossroads of the West Village. The endless flow of neighbors and visitors surrounded by increased vehicular traffic cried out for safety improvements,” said Assembly Member Deborah Glick. “I want to thank Mayor de Blasio and NYC DOT, as well as Community Board 2 for these critical improvements.”

“Places like this where major avenues intersect the small crooked streets of Greenwich Village present difficult safety challenges. These crosswalks are often swarming with people, especially at night when vision is limited and people in an entertainment district may be less attentive. Turning vehicles are especially problematic when cars approach from outside the pedestrian field of vision and for a turn less than a 90 degrees,” said Manhattan Community Board 2 Chair Tobi Bergman. “ Pedestrian safety improvements that don’t require large capital investment are low hanging fruit. They also provide important information for future permanent improvements that will look better and work better. We expect this particular location to soon become an important focus of a National Monument for the LGBT movement. We hope DOT will soon consider permanent changes to curbs and crosswalks that will go even farther to protecting the thousands of pedestrians who cross these busy street every day.”

“We are delighted that the DOT is taking action to help ameliorate the inherently dangerous pedestrian crossings on this wide, heavily trafficked avenue with its non-perpendicular intersections, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with them to maintain these newly-installed pedestrian areas,” said Brooke Schooley, President, 7th Avenue South Alliance.

Manhattan Community Board 2 voted in support of the project, and implementation began in June and was completed this fall. 7th Avenue South Alliance will be the maintenance partner for the project to maintain planters and litter removal.

For more information about DOT’s safety improvement projects throughout the city, please visit www.nyc.gov/dot.

7th Avenue South and Christopher Street after and before images

7th Avenue South and Christopher Street showing pedestrians and crosswalk

7th Avenue South and Christopher Street showing crosswalk, pedestrians and large planter

For more photos, please visit:https://flic.kr/s/aHskoiV9Px

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