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42nd Street Trolley?

Two groups are supporting plans to put a trolley line down 42nd St from river to river. Vision42‘s proposal (seen above) would see the thoroughfare pedestrianised and arborised, whereas that of the Municipal Arts Society (below) would retain automobile access.

I have to say I rather like the idea of turning 42nd Street into a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard, despite doubts as to it actually happening. Though, as an avid guy-who-drives-in-Manhattan-alot I think losing a major cross street would be a hassle. New York lacks a major pedestrian area. We have small ones like Stone Street/Beaver Street area way downtown and the South Street Seaport, as well as gorgeous piazzas like Audubon Terrace (a hidden treasure which surely must be the subject of a future post). But we’re lacking a large, long, people-oriented boulevard. Adding trees would be especially wonderful as well.

Either way, it’d be nice to see ‘light rail’ (as trolleys are called these days) return to the streets of Manhattan. Whether it would be wise or prudent I’ll leave for others to decide, but the Chestertonian nostalgic in me welcomes their return.

Having some genuine space around Times Square just for people would be a definite benefit as well. It’s always terribly crowded with people and often vehicles as well. Removing 42nd as a vehicular cross street at Times Square would probably make it more effecient actually.

Of course the plans have the new trolley line turning at the Hudson river, heading south to link up with the redevelopment of Hell’s Kitchen discussed in posts past.

Published at 4:56 pm on Wednesday 8 December 2004. Categories: New York.
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