Work on “Segment 2” of the West Street Promenade began in mid-May 2007, bringing welcome traffic and utility improvements to the boulevard, along with open pedestrian plazas and green spaces.

The New York State Department of Transportation (SDOT) is executing the $189 million project, which extends the design of the lower portion of Promenade South north to the area between West Thames and Chambers Street.

One of SDOT’s primary goals for the project is restoring West Street to eight traffic lanes, as it was before September 11, 2001. Crews also will raise the road grade approximately six feet between Liberty and Vesey Streets, to match the higher elevation of the World Trade Center (WTC) -- a vital factor in linking the open promenade to the WTC Memorial plaza.

To enhance pedestrian safety, the work scope will improve crossings at grade along West Street and modify the Liberty and Rector Street bridges. Other enhancements include updating underground utilities and other infrastructure, installing new roadway and sidewalk pavement, and incorporating new “urban design features” like a tree-lined promenade along West Street’s sidewalks and in the median, as well as new storefronts and pedestrian plazas.

SDOT also will modify the approach to the West Street Underpass that links to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, making the tube reversible to accommodate rush-hour traffic.

In Battery Park City, the park located between West Thames and Albany Streets will be renovated, providing more room for community gardens and a basketball court.

SDOT planners are working closely with the Port Authority and the WTC Memorial Foundation to build the “new” West Street, including its roadways, walkway/bikeway, crosswalks, and medians. In particular, the teams are coordinating construction of the underground pedestrian concourse (the “east-west connector”) that will connect the WTC Transportation Hub with the World Financial Center/Winter Garden. Excavation for that concourse is now underway in Battery Park City.

Close coordination is taking place to build the new Vehicular Security Center at the WTC’s southwest corner. Other adjacent projects are factoring into the construction plan as well, with the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC) overseeing their coordination. The LMCCC also is helping SDOT adhere to environmental performance commitments during the project.

Segment 2 work is taking place in four stages: West Thames to Albany Street, Albany to Vesey Street, Vesey to Murray Street, and Murray to Chambers Street. Three lanes of traffic in each direction will be maintained during daily rush hours throughout the project, but will be reduced temporarily to accommodate construction and utility work in the roadway.

SDOT and its contractor, Tully Construction, will provide advance community notification, signage, and detours as lane closures and shifts occur. Traffic enforcement agents will be stationed at key locations to help maintain pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic.

The project is expected to be substantially complete by late 2009.

Click here to see the latest information on the construction of Promenade South.

Related links

Project Update: West Street Promenade Segment 2
Slide Show: Work West of the WTC Site
Visualization Tour