NYC DOT Announces Transformational Redesign of Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2026
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NYC DOT Announces Transformational Redesign of Ninth Avenue in Hell's Kitchen

Redesign will widen sidewalks and the avenue's busy protected bike lane on east side of street, while adding a curbside rush-hour downtown bus lane on opposite side

With pedestrians representing over half of Ninth Avenue's users, planned improvements will help relieve persistent sidewalk overcrowding, including a surge expected on West Side during the World Cup tournament this summer

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced that the agency would immediately begin a transformational redesign of Ninth Avenue from West 34th to 50th streets in Midtown/Hell's Kitchen. The planned changes will increase pedestrian space, widen the street's protected bike lane, and extend and paint the street's bus lane north to 50th Street. Key changes will be completed ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer, when persistent sidewalk overcrowding on the street is expected to increase - particularly on game days. (See the plan presented to Manhattan Community Board 4 Wednesday evening here.)

"Ninth Avenue will be a hub of activity during this summer's World Cup, with visitors from around the world and increased traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel and the Port Authority Bus Terminal," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "Mayor Mamdani has told us to think big, so in order to be a welcoming and safer place for tourists and New Yorkers alike, we will immediately work to have Ninth Avenue better accommodate the vast majority of the street's users who are on two feet, two wheels, or who are riding the bus."

A heavily used southbound street, this section of Ninth Avenue presents design challenges due to its heavy pedestrian traffic (over 50 percent of the corridor users are pedestrians) and proximity to transportation infrastructure, including the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Lincoln Tunnel. In 2007, the street became the first in New York City to gain its own dedicated on-street protected bicycle lane. With its proximity to the Theater District, the street is also renowned as a culinary destination, with dozens of restaurants and other food-related businesses.

A busy sidewalk on Ninth Avenue in its current state.

This section of Ninth Avenue is a Vision Zero priority corridor, with increased rate of traffic deaths and serious injuries. In the last five years, 2021-25, the street has seen 37 people killed or seriously injured, including one pedestrian fatality. Sidewalks are overcrowded and vehicle traffic on the street is persistent, with slower bus speeds as a result of vehicle traffic entering the Lincoln Tunnel.

This permanent redesign of the street will provide nine feet of extra pedestrian space - known as a 'super sidewalk' - with new pedestrian islands at corners as well as widening the existing protected bicycle lane from five to nine feet. Nearly a half mile of curbside bus lane on the west side of Ninth Avenue will be painted red for the first time, which will allow more active enforcement of bus lane violations, The new lane will operate seven days per week, 7-10am and 4-7pm.

Redesign Timeline:

Mid-March through mid-June: Ninth Avenue is repaved, concrete islands constructed, and all lane lines on street will be painted.

During World Cup (mid-June- mid July): Other lane marking work is completed, but only on non-game days.

Late Summer/Early Fall: Project is completed.