NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York City will again close several streets around Rockefeller Center to vehicle traffic for the holiday season to make room for pedestrians, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday.
Beginning Friday, the city will partially close 49th and 50th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, to bring back the popular pedestrian-only spaces around Rockefeller Center.
This year, the city will also expand the pedestrian space even further by setting up movable barriers on the east and west sides of Fifth Avenue, between 48th and 52nd streets, eliminating a lane of traffic on each side of the avenue.
Mayor de Blasio said he and other city officials made the decision to bring back pedestrian spaces as crowds are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.
“No place on earth is more magical than midtown during the holidays, and New Yorkers and visitors alike will get to enjoy the neighborhood with more pedestrian space than ever,” de Blasio said.
To cut back on vehicular traffic, the mayor and other city officials are also encouraging New Yorkers and visitors to utilize public transportation.
“Public transit is the best way to get to the neighborhood, and these pedestrianized streets will create a safe, spacious, and welcoming environment for everyone who enjoys the holiday season,” de Blasio said.
Department of Transportation officials noted that beginning Friday, vehicles will not be allowed to turn onto 47th, 49th or 51st streets.
Sixth Avenue will also have movable barriers placed on the east side of the road, between 48th and 52nd streets.
The closures will happen daily between 11 a.m. and midnight, the mayor’s office said.
MTA officials also noted that buses will be bypassing all stops between 48th and 52nd streets, and all crosstown buses will be rerouted around Rockefeller Center during the pedestrian-only hours.
NYPD officers will be posted in the area 24/7 to adjust barriers if needed during times of unusual pedestrian activity or extreme weather.
The street closures will continue throughout the holiday season into January 2022. Stricter crowd-control protocols are expected to be in place for the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting, scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 1.
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