Canal Street in Manhattan could soon see major changes, as the New York City’s Department of Transportation presented a plan to expand sidewalks and ease pedestrian congestion on one of the city’s busiest corridors.
The proposal, recently presented to community groups, would create so-called “Super Sidewalks” between Broadway and Elizabeth streets. City officials said the goal is to improve safety and give pedestrians more space in an area long known for its crowded sidewalks and heavy traffic.
Similar street redesigns have been rolled out in midtown and Hell’s Kitchen in recent years. Along with wider sidewalks, the Canal Street plan would add more bike lanes.
Some visitors believe the changes could make the area more inviting.
“I think they would get more tourists come, yes, so I’m all for that” said Kathy Meo, a native New Yorker visiting from out of state. Her husband, Joseph, added, “They need to clean it up a little bit, too.”
Others are skeptical.
“I don’t know if it would help because it makes the streets smaller. More vehicles on a shorter street I think is worse than people on a small sidewalk,” said Tracy Mugford, of Stratford, Connecticut.
The plan follows a deadly crash in July, when police said a drunk driver traveling more than 100 mph near the Manhattan Bridge killed two people. According to city data, 26 people have been killed or severely injured on Canal Street in recent years.
For longtime vendors, the idea of wider sidewalks sounds like a welcome change.
“It’s better,” said Tony, who has sold produce along Canal Street for 25 years. “More space so the people can walk.”
Navigating Canal Street today remains a challenge even for traffic officers and emergency responders. City officials say they hope the redesign can finally make a difference on one of Manhattan’s most congested stretches.
The proposed changes are currently planned for Summer 2026, though it was not clear what a new mayor could potentially mean for currents plans at the DOT.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC New York. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC New York journalist edited the article for publication.