Manhattan, NY – Miracle on 34th St., Pedestrian Plaza Axed

Manhattan, NY – New York City has abandoned a plan for a pedestrian plaza in the middle of 34th Street

Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said Wednesday the department will explore other options, including expanding curb access for deliveries. She declined to be more specific.

The plan would have banned vehicles from a heavily traveled street between Herald Square and the Empire State Building.

Businesses and residents complained that cars looking for alternate routes across Manhattan would increase traffic on side streets and that proposed bus lanes would block access to their buildings.

Over the past two years, the city has banned cars from parts of Times Square, Union Square and Herald Square in an effort to make it more pedestrian friendly.