Midtown Update: 6 1/2 Avenue Born

 A new avenue was born this week – 6 1/2 Avenue.  This midblock street is a pedestrian path between 51st and 57th Street.  Essentially, the new avenue is a walkway that connects the buildings between Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue.  The project took over a year to finish and its purpose is to maximize the use and safety of the multiple public plazas that were created when the buildings were constructed.  “Middle-of-the-block” businesses will benefit since pedestrians will likely cut through 6 1/2 Avenue to get to work.  Plus, pedestrians will likely benefit since they can now avoid the busier Sixth and Seventh Avenues.  Motorists, however, are probably not happy.  Stop signs have been installed at each crosswalk between 51st and 56th Streets, and a traffic light has been placed on the corner of 57th Street and 6 1/2 Avenue. 

It remains to be seen whether Midtown will have more traffic as a result of the stop signs and traffic light.  What do you think?