NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The City Council on Wednesday is expected to pass a $1.7 billion “Streets Master Plan” which would add dozens of miles of bike and bus lines in addition to other street improvements over five years.
The plan, drawn up by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, provides for 250 new miles of protected bike lanes, 150 new miles of protected bus lanes, and adding signals that prioritize buses at 1,000 intersections.
In addition, the plan would add more pedestrian signals and plazas.
The DOT would also have to put out a new plan every five years to make the streets safer and prioritize public transit, beginning in December 2021.
The plan is partially in response to the spike in cyclist deaths in 2019.
At least 25 cyclists have died this year.
"The piecemeal way we plan our streets has made no sense for far too long, and New Yorkers have paid the price every day stuck on slow buses or as pedestrians or cyclists on dangerous streets. We need faster buses, safe streets infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, and more pedestrian space,” Johnson said. “We need to do everything we can to encourage sustainable modes of transportation, especially with the realities of climate change growing more dire every day. This plan will make New York City a much more livable and enjoyable place to call home.”