Plans are in the works to redesign a complex five-point intersection in Lower Manhattan that is marked by heavy traffic, vehicles having to make multiple turns and limited accessibility for pedestrians, city officials announced on Tuesday.
Chinatown’s Chatham Square is a major traffic hub where multiple streets converge, including the busy Bowery thoroughfare. According to the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), the square features a complex, five-point intersection resulting in many conflict points that endanger drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Traversing the area can be so congested that the city deploys traffic agents to ensure people move safely, according to the DOT. Vehicles often need to make multiple turns due to the indirect design of the street.
The DOT, along with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) unveiled a plan on Oct. 21 that basically simplifies the intersection. It is the latest milestone in the implementation of Chinatown Connections, a $55 million capital effort. The public space improvement project aims to celebrate the cultural heritage of Chinatown, enhance traffic flow, expand pedestrian space, and support the area’s local economy.
According to the DOT, the redesign would expand pedestrian space while simplifying the complex intersection, improve circulation with shortened pedestrian crossings, and provide more direct routes for drivers. It would also transform the square into a standard four-way intersection that would require fewer turns.
“New Yorkers deserve to live in communities with vibrant public spaces where crossing the street doesn’t have to be a complicated, dangerous process,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “This ambitious redesign of Chatham Square will dramatically improve the pedestrian experience while helping drivers get where they need to go more directly.”
Safety and better traffic flow in Lower Manhattan
By shortening crossing distances, simplifying the intersection and adding more greenery, officials are hoping to foster equitable streets and create welcoming public spaces for the area.
Renderings released on Tuesday show the proposed redesign, greenery and space for public events.
“The new public space designs reflect our deep commitment to celebrating Chinatown’s cultural heritage while creating a more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant space for all,” said Ya-Ting Liu, the city’s chief public realm officer. “By working closely with the community, we’re transforming a busy, congested, and chaotic intersection into a quality public space that benefits residents and businesses alike.”
More pedestrians than vehicle drivers use Chatham Square, city officials said. They often must walk long distances to cross the street, usually at the same time as a high volume of turning vehicles, officials said.
“This project builds on our legacy of investing in infrastructure and public redesign works to improve quality of life, safety, and accessibility for all New Yorkers,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “I am proud to lay this foundation that will establish the future for Chatham Square that reflects the values and vision of those who call Chinatown home.”
The mayor must sign off on the project before work can commence in 2027.
