A long-standing plan to fill in the gap in the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway along the East River near the United Nations is moving forward. New York City’s Economic Development Corporation has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to supervise the construction of an esplanade spanning a gap in the Greenway between East 41st and East 53rd Streets.
Closing the less than a mile-long gap is the latest effort toward completing the planned 32-mile pedestrian and bicycle path along the Manhattan waterfront.
The largest portions are operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. It is separated from motor traffic, and many sections also separate pedestrians from cyclists.
There are three principal parts — the East, Harlem and Hudson River Greenways. The Hudson River Greenway is the most heavily used bikeway in the United States. The newest section, which is hoped to be completed by 2028, is part of the East River Greenway.
This newest section is expected to be constructed on pillars over the river at a cost of about $120 million, according to Gothamist.
“Last year, the city opened another section of the esplanade, between East 53rd and East 61st streets — but the path currently becomes a dead-end before the UN, forcing cyclists to reroute along traffic-clogged First and Second avenues,” Gothamist reported. “And while the Hudson River Greenway has seen significant investment in recent years, some areas of the greenway along Manhattan’s East Side are disjointed and crumbling.”
There are also plans for a storm barrier along the southern third of the Greenway, from West 57th Street to the Battery, and back up to East 42nd Street. Parts of this plan were completed along the East River Greenway in April, 2021.
You can find a map of the current Greeenway here.
Illustration: Proposed project to close East River Greenway gap near United Nations (NYC Economic Development Corporation).
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