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Introduction
From 37th Street north to 63rd Street there is no off-road waterfront bicycle or pedestrian path. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway officially detours users inland, forcing pedestrians and cyclists to use the highly trafficked and dangerous First and Second Avenues.
Though the gap is relatively small (1.2 miles) as compared with the overall length of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway (32 miles), its presence has a enormous impact on the Greenway’s overall use and the communities of Manhattan’s East Side.
Location
The location of the gap is significant because the detours force users onto the highly congested and dangerous avenues of Midtown. Because of these dangerous detours, many people forgo using the East River Greenway altogether. New York City’s own Department of City Planning Manhattan Waterfront Greenway Master Plan of 2004 stated that:
First and Second avenues have both been signed, but neither is appropriate for inexperienced riders. Overall, both streets are busy and should be used only with extreme caution.
In fact, the area covered by the Greenway detours has long had high numbers of crashes according to CrashStat 2.0, making the area one of the most dangerous and unsafe spots for both cyclists and pedestrians in the entire City. Completing the Greenway would alleviate this glaring safety issue by providing a safe off-road path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Currently, residents from East Harlem to Murray Hill look west with jealousy as Husdon River Park and the Hudson River Greenway provide open-space and transportation amenities to many West Side residents. The Hudson River Greenway is also responsible for spurring the amazing rise in NYC cycling commuters over the past few years. Completing the East River Greenway would similarly provide waterfront access and parkland for thousands of people along the East Side of Manhattan. The Greenway would also serve as the backbone of a sustainable transportation network that will help foster an already growing population of commuter cyclists both North and South of the gap.
Brief History
City administrations, local agencies, community organizations, and elected officials have long advocated for completing the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along the East River. However, some of the best laid plans to finally close the gap have recently come to a screeching halt. See how the Greenway got to this point.
Current Issues
The Greenway Gap can be broken down into three distinct segments. Though each segment is separate, all three are closely interrelated and any plan for one will effect them all.
- FDR Drive and the ODR Caissons
- The United Nations Consolidation and Robert Moses Park
- Former Con-Ed Pier/Solow Development Site
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