Comments on: Eyes on the Street: 34th Street Runs Red With Paint http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Ian D http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54672 Ian D Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:11:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54672 It great that DOT is trying improvements that may somewhat improve crosstown transit on 34th St. though Albany has once against sent the message to the City to go screw itself. But as long as the clock is ticking to make serious streetscape and transit improvements, why not make an order of magnitude improvement in crosstown travel along 42nd St. with <a href="http://www.vision42.org/" rel="nofollow">a project that already has a foundation, significant backing, and will get the world's attention</a>? It great that DOT is trying improvements that may somewhat improve crosstown transit on 34th St. though Albany has once against sent the message to the City to go screw itself.

But as long as the clock is ticking to make serious streetscape and transit improvements, why not make an order of magnitude improvement in crosstown travel along 42nd St. with a project that already has a foundation, significant backing, and will get the world's attention?

]]> By: mister mark davis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54649 mister mark davis Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:22:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54649 the sidewalk is completely inadequate on 34th street. why not get all the cars off widen the side walk and add a bike lane. the sidewalk is completely inadequate on 34th street. why not get all the cars off widen the side walk and add a bike lane.

]]> By: Chrifs http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54648 Chrifs Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:31:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54648 Unfortunately, I haven't observed what Sean observed. Watching the segment between Lex and 3rd Aves for only a few minutes yesterday, I saw delivery trucks, service vans, cabs, right-turning vehicles, vehicles swerving around left-turning vehicles, cars just passing through in this lane. It's not much different than it ever has been. The buses have no free lane to travel through, because they have to merge back into general traffic to avoid the obstructions. Transitways are great, but if general traffic gets only one lane, left turns from 34th street need to be prohibited, and deliveries need an alternative provision (exactly what, I don't know). Otherwise the red lane will be ineffective. Unfortunately, I haven't observed what Sean observed. Watching the segment between Lex and 3rd Aves for only a few minutes yesterday, I saw delivery trucks, service vans, cabs, right-turning vehicles, vehicles swerving around left-turning vehicles, cars just passing through in this lane. It's not much different than it ever has been. The buses have no free lane to travel through, because they have to merge back into general traffic to avoid the obstructions. Transitways are great, but if general traffic gets only one lane, left turns from 34th street need to be prohibited, and deliveries need an alternative provision (exactly what, I don't know). Otherwise the red lane will be ineffective.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54637 Spud Spudly Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:35:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54637 That would be fine Bill, anything to separate the buses from the people. This plan as it is now benefits bus riders but it makes things worse for pedestrians on the sidewalk. That would be fine Bill, anything to separate the buses from the people. This plan as it is now benefits bus riders but it makes things worse for pedestrians on the sidewalk.

]]> By: Bill Perkins http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54619 Bill Perkins Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:10:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54619 I hear that, Spud, but where should the buses go, then? 34th St is woefully narrow. Unless we were willing to remove a moving lane.. which isn't an awful idea.. how about, in each direction: 1 moving lane, a curb, a bus lane, and then a parking lane or widened sidewalk with areas cut out for bus stops or something like that. I hear that, Spud, but where should the buses go, then? 34th St is woefully narrow. Unless we were willing to remove a moving lane.. which isn't an awful idea.. how about, in each direction: 1 moving lane, a curb, a bus lane, and then a parking lane or widened sidewalk with areas cut out for bus stops or something like that.

]]> By: Sean http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54610 Sean Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:04:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54610 Unlike the photo above, the more eastern stretches of the road were fully complete yesterday and did not have road cones or police tape. As a resident of the area, I noticed that prior to the red paint, people were driving in the new bus lane all the time. (It's so wide and comfy to zoom in!) But yesterday, with the new paint, cars were staying out of it... Likely it's only the "newness" and the unfamiliarity of a strange red lane, but it seemed to be working and I hope it continues to do so! (Crossing my fingers but not holding my breath.) :) I agree that minicurbs or little plastic bollards would be a great idea, and I do hope we're allowed to bike in the lane because all the crosstown streets in that area are a zoo! Unlike the photo above, the more eastern stretches of the road were fully complete yesterday and did not have road cones or police tape. As a resident of the area, I noticed that prior to the red paint, people were driving in the new bus lane all the time. (It's so wide and comfy to zoom in!) But yesterday, with the new paint, cars were staying out of it... Likely it's only the "newness" and the unfamiliarity of a strange red lane, but it seemed to be working and I hope it continues to do so! (Crossing my fingers but not holding my breath.) :)

I agree that minicurbs or little plastic bollards would be a great idea, and I do hope we're allowed to bike in the lane because all the crosstown streets in that area are a zoo!

]]> By: uSkyscraper http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54604 uSkyscraper Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:14:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54604 I used to live on 35th St. This will be an incredible test of wills, and my money is on the taxis, delivery trucks, work vehicles and tour buses. That pretty red lane doesn't stand a chance in hell. I used to live on 35th St. This will be an incredible test of wills, and my money is on the taxis, delivery trucks, work vehicles and tour buses. That pretty red lane doesn't stand a chance in hell.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54597 Spud Spudly Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:30:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54597 How about some kind of buffer or barrier between the new bus lane and the pedestrians walking on the sidewalk three inches away? I don't care what they do to 34th Street but I really hate bus lanes that are adjacent to the sidewalk. You get big noisy, smelly and dangerous buses whipping by your ear as you walk and one false step by a tourist or whomever and they're toast. I also know two people who were smacked in the head by bus sideview mirrors and spent weeks in the hospital. How about some kind of buffer or barrier between the new bus lane and the pedestrians walking on the sidewalk three inches away? I don't care what they do to 34th Street but I really hate bus lanes that are adjacent to the sidewalk. You get big noisy, smelly and dangerous buses whipping by your ear as you walk and one false step by a tourist or whomever and they're toast. I also know two people who were smacked in the head by bus sideview mirrors and spent weeks in the hospital.

]]> By: momos http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54586 momos Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:04:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54586 I have the same fear as Streetsman. Susan, great idea about taking Gantt on an MTA bus tour of midtown. It should be scheduled for rush hour on 42nd st when he has an important meeting across town in 15 mins. I have the same fear as Streetsman.

Susan, great idea about taking Gantt on an MTA bus tour of midtown. It should be scheduled for rush hour on 42nd st when he has an important meeting across town in 15 mins.

]]> By: Susan Donovan http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54582 Susan Donovan Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:57:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54582 Veritas, they could super-glue those cones down! That might work. But, I bet they'd end up all bent up like those plastic bollards near times square. Veritas, they could super-glue those cones down! That might work. But, I bet they'd end up all bent up like those plastic bollards near times square.

]]> By: Mike http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54580 Mike Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:54:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54580 Isn't this exactly where the Bolt Bus picks up and drops off? Will they move? Isn't this exactly where the Bolt Bus picks up and drops off? Will they move?

]]> By: Veritas http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54579 Veritas Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:50:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54579 Can the DOT just leave the orange construction barriers between the bus lane and the car lanes? In this photo, they seem to be effectively keeping cars out. Can the DOT just leave the orange construction barriers between the bus lane and the car lanes? In this photo, they seem to be effectively keeping cars out.

]]> By: Susan Donovan http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54577 Susan Donovan Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:36:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54577 Could we invite David Gantt to NYC and take him on a bus ride so he can see how bad it is? Maybe we should start mailing him photos of cars in the lane so he knows how bad it is? At least with the red lane such photos will be easier to verify. Could we invite David Gantt to NYC and take him on a bus ride so he can see how bad it is? Maybe we should start mailing him photos of cars in the lane so he knows how bad it is? At least with the red lane such photos will be easier to verify.

]]> By: anon http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54573 anon Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:20:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54573 Can they install some plastic bollards to separate the lanes? Can they install some plastic bollards to separate the lanes?

]]> By: Jeffrey W. Baker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54572 Jeffrey W. Baker Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:20:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54572 I'm wondering if taxi and black car pickup are allowed. I'm wondering if taxi and black car pickup are allowed.

]]> By: Streetsman http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54571 Streetsman Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:18:45 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54571 Without cameras you just get the feeling this is going to be a parking lot. Without cameras you just get the feeling this is going to be a parking lot.

]]> By: Chris http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/comment-page-1/#comment-54570 Chris Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:09:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/eyes-on-the-street-34th-street-runs-red-with-paint/#comment-54570 Does anyone know if bicycles can legally use bus lanes? In some other cities, bikes are allowed. Does anyone know if bicycles can legally use bus lanes? In some other cities, bikes are allowed.

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