The refurbished southern Manhattan Bridge path officially re-opened to pedestrian and cyclist traffic last Monday morning for the first time since the 1960’s. The new crossing is expected to relieve crowding on the Brooklyn Bridge pathand offer a more direct cycling route between downtown Brooklyn and midtown Manhattan.

The path’s current narrow 5-ft. lanes and access via stairs in Brooklyn is temporary. The reconstruction of the Bridge’s northern side that will begin this summer will include a wider path designed for cyclists with ramps on both ends. Pedestrians will have full use of the southern path once that project is completed, anticipated by 2004. In the interim, Transportation Alternatives is advocating for a fully ramped interim path to accommodate wheelchairs and cyclists not able to lift their bicycles up the stairs.
 

Flanked by Transportation Alternatives reps, NYC DOT Commissioner Iris  Weinshall inaugurated the Manhattan Bridge path during Bike Week.

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