34th Street in Manhattan stands as a critical artery in the heart of New York City. This bustling corridor, stretching across Midtown, faced significant challenges: slow bus service plagued commuters, sidewalks were often overcrowded, and projections indicated substantial population and employment growth in the area, driven by developments like Hudson Yards and the revitalized Moynihan Station. To address these mounting pressures, the 34th Street Select Bus Service project was launched, aiming to transform this vital street for the better.
The Need for Transformation on 34th Street
Before the implementation of the Select Bus Service, 34th Street, extending from the East River ferry terminal to Twelfth Avenue, was primarily served by the M16 and M34 bus lines. These lines, while carrying over 17,000 passengers daily, struggled with an average speed of just 4.5 miles per hour – barely faster than walking pace. The corridor was a scene of intense traffic, with over 100 transit buses per hour, alongside commuter buses transporting over 16,000 individuals daily, and a constant flow of tour buses. Peak hours were particularly congested, exacerbating delays and frustrations. Furthermore, 34th Street serves as a crucial access point for major destinations including the Javits Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, and the ever-busy Penn Station, amplifying the need for efficient transportation solutions. The existing infrastructure was clearly struggling to keep pace with the demands of this dynamic Manhattan thoroughfare.
Project Overview: 34th Street Select Bus Service Takes Shape
The 34th Street Select Bus Service project emerged as a collaborative effort between the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and New York City Transit (NYCT). This initiative was designed to tackle the core issues plaguing 34th Street: improving traffic flow, accelerating bus speeds, enhancing pedestrian safety, and optimizing curb access for businesses and residents along the two-mile stretch. Recognizing the scale of the project, it was divided into three key sections – West, Middle, and East – allowing for a phased approach to construction and implementation, minimizing disruption while maximizing impact. Crucially, the project prioritized engagement with the community, ensuring that the needs and concerns of residents and businesses were integrated into the planning and execution phases.
Phased Implementation: West, Middle, and East Sections
West Section: Twelfth Avenue to Eighth/Seventh Avenues
The West Section of the 34th Street Select Bus Service, spanning from Twelfth Avenue to mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues, underwent significant improvements focused on streamlining bus operations and pedestrian movement. Key upgrades included the installation of six bus bulbs – sidewalk extensions at bus stops that reduce bus dwell time and enhance pedestrian safety by shortening crossing distances. The project also encompassed repaving and restriping of the street surface to create dedicated bus lanes and clearly defined loading zones. By the end of 2014, substantial progress had been made, with five of the six bus bulbs completed and operational, alongside the paving and striping works. However, the planned bus bulb at Eighth Avenue NW faced a delay due to scaffolding at the New Yorker Hotel, with completion pending the removal of the obstruction. Notably, the two bus bulbs located between Eleventh and Tenth Avenues were integrated into the larger Hudson Yards park and boulevard project, managed by the Hudson Yards Development Corporation, and were slated to open upon completion of the broader Hudson Yards construction.
Middle Section: Eighth/Seventh Avenues to Lexington Avenue
The Middle Section, extending from mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues to Lexington Avenue, continued the transformation of 34th Street. This phase included the addition of four bus bulbs, further repaving and restriping efforts, the establishment of a new bus lane, and designated loading zones. Construction in this section was actively underway and managed by MTA New York City Transit, with an anticipated completion date in 2015. These improvements aimed to replicate the successes of the West Section, extending the benefits of faster bus service and improved street organization further east along 34th Street.
East Section: Lexington Avenue to FDR Service Road
The East Section, encompassing 34th Street from Lexington Avenue to the FDR Service Road, marked the final phase of the Select Bus Service implementation. Construction commenced in Spring 2014, overseen by the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and was projected to last for 30 months. This section began with essential infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of a new sewer system and a distribution water main between First and Third Avenues, linked to the major City Water Tunnel No. 3 project. Following these foundational works, the East Section was slated to receive three bus bulbs, repaving and restriping, a new bus lane, and loading zones, mirroring the improvements in the West and Middle sections. The DDC committed to providing ongoing updates and schedule information to the local community as construction progressed.
Design and Analysis: Crafting Solutions for 34th Street
The design of the 34th Street Select Bus Service was meticulously crafted based on a thorough analysis by the DOT, examining traffic patterns, transit needs, and curbside access requirements along the corridor. This data-driven approach was complemented by extensive community outreach, involving discussions with local residents, businesses, and institutions to ensure that the final design reflected the needs and priorities of the 34th Street community. A rigorous traffic analysis was conducted to predict the impact of the proposed changes, and various alternative solutions were considered before finalizing the design plan.
Traffic Analysis: Ensuring Smooth Flow
DOT’s comprehensive traffic analysis extended beyond 34th Street itself, encompassing surrounding streets to understand the broader network effects of the project. The findings of this analysis were presented to the public in September and October of 2011, ensuring transparency and community awareness. The analysis predicted that overall traffic congestion would remain largely unchanged with the implementation of the project, while simultaneously achieving the key objectives of increasing bus speed and improving bus service reliability. This indicated that the project was designed to enhance public transit without negatively impacting general traffic flow on 34th Street and adjacent areas.
Alternatives Analysis: Identifying the Optimal Path
The proposed set of improvements for 34th Street was not conceived in isolation but was the result of a detailed 34th Street Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis study. This study systematically evaluated various potential solutions to address the transportation challenges on 34th Street, considering factors such as effectiveness, feasibility, and community impact. The chosen Select Bus Service design emerged as the most promising approach, balancing the needs of transit users, pedestrians, and other street users while remaining practical and implementable within the urban context of Manhattan.
Community Engagement: A Collaborative Approach
Community involvement was, and continues to be, a cornerstone of the 34th Street Select Bus Service project. DOT and NYCT actively fostered a collaborative approach, recognizing that the success of the project depended on incorporating the insights and feedback of those who lived, worked, and traveled along 34th Street.
Community Advisory Committee: Guiding the Project
A Community Advisory Committee was established by DOT and NYCT to provide ongoing guidance throughout the 34th Street Select Bus Service project. This committee comprised a diverse group of stakeholders, including elected officials, representatives from Community Boards, local community groups, and major institutions located along the corridor. The committee met regularly during the project planning phase, serving as a forum for discussion, feedback, and collaboration, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives informed the project’s development.
Community Board Meetings: Keeping Local Boards Informed
DOT and NYCT maintained close communication with Manhattan Community Boards 4, 5, and 6, presenting updates and seeking input at multiple meetings throughout the project’s planning stages. These presentations provided opportunities for Community Board members and the public to learn about the project’s details, raise questions, and offer valuable local insights, ensuring that the project remained responsive to community needs.
Public Open Houses: Engaging the Wider Public
To engage the broader public, DOT and NYCT hosted a series of public open houses at key project milestones. These open houses provided a platform for one-on-one conversations with project leaders, allowing members of the public to review preliminary design plans, ask questions directly, and provide comments and feedback in an informal and accessible setting. Five open houses were held throughout the project, demonstrating a sustained commitment to public engagement.
Community Forums on Curbside Access: Understanding Local Needs
Recognizing the importance of curbside access for businesses and residents on 34th Street, DOT and NYCT organized a series of community forums in October and November 2010. These forums were specifically designed to gather detailed information about block-by-block curb use needs. Building owners, managers, residents, and businesses were invited to participate, sharing their specific requirements and concerns. For those unable to attend the forums, an online survey was made available to collect curb use information, and DOT also reached out directly to building owners and managers to ensure comprehensive data collection.
Community Feedback Summary: Listening to the Community Voice
In addition to these structured meetings and forums, DOT and NYCT actively engaged with a wide range of project stakeholders, including local elected officials, building owners, and community groups, to solicit further feedback. A comprehensive report was compiled, summarizing the comments, questions, and suggestions received from community residents, business and building owners, local organizations, elected officials, and other interested parties, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and responsiveness to community input.
Environmental Review and Project Analysis
As a recipient of federal funding, the 34th Street Select Bus Service project was subject to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), necessitating a federal environmental review. Initially, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), overseeing the federal review, directed DOT to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA). An EA is a comprehensive evaluation to determine if a project will have significant environmental impacts, examining a broad spectrum of environmental, social, and economic factors. NEPA regulations require agencies proposing projects to release EAs for public review and comment.
However, following further review in Fall 2011, the FTA determined that the 34th Street Select Bus Service project qualified for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) instead of an EA. A CE is granted when a project consists of elements that the agency routinely constructs as part of its normal operations. The FTA’s decision was based on revisions to the project’s scope and design, influenced by community feedback. The project incorporated standard Select Bus Service elements like sidewalk extensions and offset bus lanes, and analysis indicated no significant traffic impacts. The FTA approved the CE on December 29, 2011, concluding the federal environmental review. While a CE process does not require a formal environmental review document from the FTA, DOT prepared a Project Analysis Report on the 34th Street project. This report, adhering to the methodologies of the City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Technical Manual, covered transportation, social, and environmental impacts, providing a detailed analysis of the project, even though it was not a formal NEPA or CEQR environmental impact study.
Timeline of Progress: From Planning to Implementation
The 34th Street Select Bus Service project unfolded over several years, from initial planning and community discussions to full implementation.
2008: Meetings with Community Boards and organization of multiple open houses to discuss 34th Street bus issues. Implementation of extended bus lanes between Ninth Avenue and First Avenue, and upgrading of existing bus lanes between Eleventh Avenue and Ninth Avenue.
2009: Beginning of community discussion and evaluation of alternatives for further improvements along 34th Street. Pilot of real-time bus arrival information.
2010: Continued community participation efforts by DOT and NYCT, including outreach to residents, business owners, building managers, and institutions to convene community forums. Development of a comprehensive traffic model to analyze potential traffic impacts. Environmental review and traffic analysis initiated.
2011: Development of a preliminary corridor design based on community feedback. Comprehensive traffic analysis completed and Project Analysis Report released. Convening of Community Advisory Committee and community forums to present the preliminary design and traffic analysis and solicit feedback. November 13, 2011: Service began, including fare pre-payment, on the M34/M34A Select Bus Service.
2012: Community Advisory Committee convened to discuss proposed curb regulations on 34th Street and the project construction schedule. Completion of final design for the capital elements of the project. Bus bulb construction began at Eleventh Avenue SE (eastbound) and Eleventh Avenue NE (westbound).
2013: Completion of 2012 bulbs. Bus bulb construction began at Tenth Avenue SE (eastbound), Ninth Avenue SE (eastbound), Eighth Avenue SE (eastbound), Seventh Avenue SW (eastbound), and Sixth Avenue SE (eastbound).
2014: Completion of Tenth Avenue SE, Ninth Ave SE, and Eighth Avenue SE bulbs. Bus bulb construction began at Fifth Avenue SE (eastbound) and Park Avenue NW (westbound). Beginning of DDC water/sewer/bus bulb project from Third Avenue to FDR Service Road. Repaving of road from Twelfth Avenue to mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues. Implementation of offset bus lanes from Eleventh Avenue to mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues. Addition of parking/loading space from Eleventh Avenue to mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues.
2015: Completion of Seventh Avenue SW, Sixth Avenue SE, Fifth Avenue SE, and Park Avenue SW bulbs. Repaving of road from mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues to Lexington Avenue. Implementation of offset bus lanes from mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues to Lexington Avenue. Addition of parking/loading space from mid-block between Eighth and Seventh Avenues to Lexington Avenue.
2016: Completion of Eighth Avenue NW (westbound) bulb. Completion of East Section (Lexington Avenue to FDR Service Road) managed by DDC.
Conclusion: A Transformed 34th Street for a Growing City
The 34th Street Select Bus Service project represents a significant investment in the vitality of 34th Street Manhattan. By addressing the challenges of slow bus service, pedestrian congestion, and growing transportation demands, the project has successfully enhanced this crucial New York City corridor. The implementation of dedicated bus lanes, bus bulbs, and optimized street design has resulted in faster and more reliable bus service, improved pedestrian safety, and a more organized streetscape. Through extensive community engagement and a data-driven design process, the 34th Street Select Bus Service stands as a testament to how strategic urban planning can transform a vital artery, ensuring it continues to serve a growing and dynamic city.
