Mayor Mamdani Announces Redesigned Bike & Pedestrian Connection to Brooklyn Bridge

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Street redesign will permanently expand access to the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan and improve safety ahead of World Cup surge in visitors NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced that the City will begin a critical street redesign project this spring to permanently improve bike and pedestrian access to the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan. The new design builds on prior Mamdani administration efforts to expand accessibility and strengthen infrastructure ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The project will add a new, dedicated bike connection to the bridge along Centre Street at its Manhattan entrance, creating fully separate bike and pedestrian access for the first time. Work will begin in the coming weeks and be completed ahead of the tournament’s June start, dramatically improving access to one of the City’s most congested areas. Nearly 30,000 pedestrians and more than 5,600 cyclists use the Brooklyn Bridge on an average day. In 2021, NYC DOT separated bike and pedestrian traffic on the bridge by installing dedicated, two-way bike lanes on the Manhattan-bound roadway. The remarkably successful project transformed the pedestrian experience while significantly increasing cycling volumes. Daily ridership has more than doubled — from 2,652 daily cyclists in 2021 to 5,625 in 2025 — while cycling volumes have remained steady or increased across other East River bridge. This entry redesign builds on that success by fully separating pedestrians and cyclists at the Manhattan approach, where they are currently required to share space. As part of the project, NYC DOT will double the width of the southern crosswalk between the bridge and City Hall Park, creating additional space for pedestrians. The Brooklyn Bridge entrance upgrade is the latest in a series of street redesign projects the Mamdani administration is prioritizing ahead of the World Cup. NYC DOT also plans to deliver a redesign of Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen by widening its congested sidewalks, expanding bike lanes and extending the bus lane north of 50th Street. Additional improvements will better connect Lower Manhattan to Union Square, including upgrading cycling infrastructure along Lafayette Street and widening sidewalks near Union Square. Most upgrades are expected to be announced and installed this spring. Pier 17; 89 South Street New York, NY 10038 March 27, 2026