NYC DOT Releases Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan, Completes Portion of the Greenway Project With Redesign of Bailey Avenue in the Bronx

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December 19, 2025
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NYC DOT Releases Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan, Completes Portion of the Greenway Project With Redesign of Bailey Avenue in the Bronx

NYC DOT Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan Outlines Long-Term Construction Strategy for Seven-Mile Greenway Between Van Cortlandt Park and Randall's Island Park

The Bailey Avenue Project Improves Traffic Safety on a Street That Has Experienced Two Traffic Deaths and 18 Serious Injuries Since 2020

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the release of the Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan for the Bronx, and the completion of a street safety project on Bailey Avenue, an important segment of the larger greenway project. The Harlem River Greenway will run between Van Cortlandt Park and Randall's Island Park, and the implementation plan outlines the long-term construction strategy for the seven-mile project. The completed redesign of Bailey Avenue, from Van Cortlandt Park South to West 225 Street, delivers 1.8 lane miles of two-way, parking protected bike lane, new pedestrian islands, bus boarding islands, and other intersection upgrades to improve safety on a street that has experienced two traffic deaths and 18 serious injuries since 2020. The project is one of several greenway segments recently completed or under construction.

"The Harlem River Greenway is a game-changer that will provide access to the Harlem River from Van Courtlandt Park to Randall's Island. As we outline plans for the future of the project, the completion of our redesign of Bailey Avenue provides a safe connection to Van Cortlandt Park and enhances safety on one of the more dangerous streets in the Bronx," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "Bronx residents deserve safer access to their waterfronts and green spaces, and we look forward to continuing to build on our work for years to come with our new Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan."

"The Harlem River Greenway will not just be a vital transportation link- it will serve as a vibrant resource to help New Yorkers explore their neighborhoods, get fresh air and exercise, access their local parks, and connect with their waterfronts," said NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa. "For the last two years, we have worked on a vision for this 7-mile greenway, stretching from Van Cortlandt Park to Randall's Island Park, that strengthens cycling and walking connections and helps Bronxites connect to their waterfront. We are looking forward to working with our interagency partners and the Bronx community to build on this momentum and close gaps as laid out in this plan."

"The Harlem River Greenway Implementation Plan is going to deliver in a big way for the Bronx, bringing a travel corridor for pedestrians and cyclists, increased access to the Harlem River waterfront, and help spur additional economic development throughout the area," said NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball. "We are thrilled to be working alongside our greenways partners NYCDOT and NYC Parks in delivering this and countless other greenway projects throughout New York City - providing New Yorkers with safe and accessible public spaces to enjoy."

A summary of NYC DOT projects, either planned or recently completed, that together will make up the Bronx Harlem River Greenway. Credit: NYC DOT

The Bailey Avenue project is a 'road diet,' a type of redesign that right-sizes streets to provide room for things like safer pedestrian spaces and crosswalks, bike lanes, bus lanes, and parking. These projects help reduce speeding, cut down on crashes, and make streets work better for everyone. These projects have shown to reduce total traffic deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent, and pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by 32.7 percent. The Bailey Avenue North project responds to community requests to address dangerous speeding and cyclist safety on the corridor, enhancing safety on a truck route with 18 serious injuries and two fatalities between 2020 and 2024. The agency plans to return to the neighborhood next year to complete a southern phase of the project, which will extend the redesign from West 225 Street down to West Fordham Road.

A map of existing and proposed greenway routes under development as part of the city's historic greenway expansion across the five boroughs. Credit: NYC DOT

The project is one of many that will ultimately form the Harlem River Greenway in the Bronx, and was informed by hundreds of community members who attended three rounds of community workshops or responded at NYC DOT tabling at over 30 community events. The implementation plan released Friday summarizes the outreach conducted to date and lays out a roadmap for how to turn the community-based vision from concepts to projects, with phases for short-term and long-term greenway construction.

NYC DOT last year also began a similar planning process in Queens to develop a Queens Waterfront Greenway, with intention to being building out that corridor using in-house resources in 2026.

"For generations, Bronx residents have lacked access to the Harlem River waterfront. This plan for the long-awaited Harlem River Greenway represents an important step toward correcting that injustice. We are grateful for the tenacity of advocates like the Harlem River Coalition and to NYC DOT and other partners in government for at last responding to the community and creating this plan," said Hunter Armstrong, co-chair, NYC Greenways Coalition. "Today, the NYC Greenways Coalitions celebrates the release of the Harlem River Greenway plan and the greenway improvements to Bailey Avenue, and we look forward to many future ribbon cuttings here."

"On behalf of the Harlem River Coalition, we are writing to express our support for the 2025 NYC Department of Transportation's Harlem River Greenway plan. The release of this plan marks a historic milestone for the Bronx, offering a concrete roadmap to realize a dream that our community has nurtured for generations: reconnecting our neighborhoods to the Harlem River Waterfront and creating a continuous greenway path from Randall's Island to Van Cortlandt Park. The development of this greenway will not only serve the Bronx, but also strengthen New York City's Greenway Network as well as serve as an essential link for regional networks including the New York State Empire Trail and the East Coast Greenway," said Chauncy Young, of the Harlem River Working Group and the NYC Greenway Coalition. "The plan honors the community's long-time vision, prioritizing safe, continuous access to the water and acknowledging the river as a vital natural resource for recreation, education, and ecological health. We look forward to continuing our partnership to bring these renderings to life-starting on our public streets and extending to the Harlem River waterfront-to revitalize the Bronx for the benefit of Bronxites and all New Yorkers."

"The Harlem River Greenway will provide Bronx residents with safer pedestrian and bicycling routes to the Harlem River, expanding their access to the wonderful nature, recreation, and health benefits the river offers," said Robert Pirani, director of New York - New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program at the Hudson River Foundation. "This effort reflects a shared commitment to improving access to the river through thoughtful, community-driven planning. We are grateful to the NYC Department of Transportation for their leadership in advancing these improvements and value the opportunity to work alongside DOT, the Harlem River Coalition, community organizations, and local artists through our Bronx and Harlem Urban Waters Federal Partnership to celebrate the river and support neighborhood involvement in shaping the Greenway."