Construction kicked off Monday on a 2.5-mile redesign of Manhattan’s 116th Street, according to the city Department of Transportation. The undertaking aims to accelerate commutes for 65,000 daily bus riders across 10 routes, addressing a corridor where buses currently crawl at speeds slower than 4 mph.
The east-west roadway stands as one of 50 priority corridors identified under “Next Stop,” a joint initiative by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and the MTA to speed up city bus service. According to City Hall, the project spans 116th Street between Morningside and Pleasant Avenues, stretching from Morningside Park to the East River. Officials state the corridor connects riders to the 2, 3, 6, B, and C subway lines.
Routes that stand to benefit from the redesign include the M116, M3, M7, M102, BxM1, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, and BxM11, according to City Hall. Buses on the M116 route rank among the borough’s most sluggish services, operating at half the citywide average speed.
Redesign Features and Traffic Upgrades
The construction project introduces a combination of curbside and offset bus lanes to clear the path for transit vehicles. According to the city, the redesign also features traffic signals designed to grant buses a green light before private vehicles, a mechanism known as a queue jump.
The city notes that these bike lanes will connect to existing infrastructure on Randall’s Island and along the East River waterfront.
To curb dangerous crashes along the corridor, the DOT is installing a speed bump, three mid-block crosswalks, pedestrian median islands, and hardened daylighting at intersections, according to agency statements.
Official Statements and Commuter Impact
City leaders framed the project as a necessary step to fix chronically slow crosstown transit. “When your bus is moving slower than you can walk, something isn’t working,” Mayor Mamdani said in a statement, emphasizing that streets must function for the millions of New Yorkers who rely on them daily.
DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn echoed those remarks, stating that faster bus service grants residents more time to reach their destinations or spend with family. “We look forward to speeding up buses and delivering life-saving pedestrian and cycling improvements that will make this critical crosstown connector and surrounding area safer for everyone,” Flynn said.
Did You Know? Buses along the 116th Street corridor currently travel at speeds slower than 4 mph, which amounts to half the citywide average speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of the 116th Street redesign?
The project aims to speed up commutes for 65,000 daily bus riders by adding 2.5 miles of new curbside and offset bus lanes along a corridor where buses currently move slower than 4 mph.
Which bus routes will be affected by the changes?
Ten routes stand to benefit from the redesign: the M116, M3, M7, M102, BxM1, BxM6, BxM7, BxM8, BxM9, and BxM11.
What safety and pedestrian upgrades are included in the construction?
How do you think these new bus lanes will alter daily traffic patterns along the corridor?
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