The project may expand to a total of 100 miles of closed streets and widened sidewalks for the duration of the statewide stay-at-home order, which Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Monday he was planning to extend in some areas past May 15. During a news conference Monday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said his office has been working with the City Council to discuss options for closing streets to vehicle traffic, widening sidewalks and adding bike lanes throughout the city. “The traffic is really bad today. First Avenue is closed from 42nd Street to 48th Street, along with 44th, 45th and 46th streets from First to Second avenues. To continue reading login or create an account. In the event of a security alert or emergency, the New York City Office of Emergency Management or the New York Police Department may order unscheduled closings, checkpoints or detours on local streets, highways and river crossings. “I think that’s wonderful. We like biking on streets without cars, and of course I want to see what’s happening over there,” said Hell’s Kitchen resident Anne Rothwell. No exit is available between East 40th and East 49th Streets. Some streets and sidewalks in New York City will soon expand for public use as the city, devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, begins finding ways to reopen. Traffic and signage will delineate and direct cyclists to the temporary bikeway. Learn about weekly and weekend street closures, and access the NYC Street Closure Map. “It gets really crowded, and they check your ID to get into this area,” resident Susan Park said. Copyright © 2020 WABC-TV. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Monday his office was collaborating with the City Council to close streets and expand sidewalks near city parks so pedestrians could have more space while walking outdoors. NEW YORK (WABC) -- Four streets across New York City are being closed to traffic to promote social distancing and give people more walking space amid the COVID-19 novel coronavirus outbreak. Cyclists will be directed to use one northbound travel lane through the 1st Avenue tunnel where a temporary bikeway will then transition back to the existing protected bike lane at East 49th Street. Additionally, 42nd Street is … You have 4 free articles remaining this month, Sign-up to our daily newsletter for more articles like this + access to 5 extra articles. NYC DOT Service Updates. As in past years, the existing protected bike lane on the east side of Second Avenue will be kept clear by NYPD, maintained as a travel lane to accommodate emergency vehicles and dignitary motorcades. Discussions on how to implement the plan will proceed in collaboration with the City Council, the Department of Transportation and city police, the mayor said Monday.