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Sunday, March 28, 2010

Tete-a-Tete, in Times Square

In Times Square
Photo by myself in Times Square, at 42nd Street and Broadway.

An animated conversation outside the crossroads of Times Square, earlier this year.

Along the left, under the Dow Jones logo, an electronic tickertape displays headline news 24/7. There are planters and gates just to the right, which close the street off from vehicle traffic.

Last summer, parts of Broadway were closed to traffic to reduce gridlock. Broadway runs diagonally through Times Square, cutting through the street grid and messing up the timing of street lights.

Since then the plan has worked - loads of people lounge in the street at cafe tables and part of the area is marked as a bike lane. This February, Mayor Bloomberg declared the pedestrian mall permanent. Accidents have decreased significantly.

I never thought I'd like the idea of the pedestrian mall, but I've come around. It's nice to see people enjoying the street.

Related posts: Our Commander in Chief, Above 7th Avenue, On View in Times Square and Street Photography and Looking Up in Times Square.

7 comments:

Sandy at Ooh La Frou Frou said...

I haven't been to NY since they created this and I look forward to seeing cafe tables in the street! Just one more interesting thing about New York!

Birdman said...

I like this street candid with a bit of blur. It works. Nicely composed with all that color behind.

dianasfaria.com said...

such a great shot Kitty. It's nice to see people in this great city of New York enjoying themselves.

Anonymous said...

I love how you show the life in the streets of the city, not only the unaffectionate photos of New York, but the peoples faces and moves that make your photos excellent.

Ken Mac said...

as soon as they arrive they leave

Kitty said...

Hi Sandy
I hope you visit soon! Yes, these pedestrian malls have occurred only in the last year. The other large one takes place near the Flatiron Building, at 23rd Street and Broadway.

Thanks Birdman!

Hi Lily
Thanks so much! Yes, I too am drawn to their authentic expressions.

Thanks European Girl!
You have to take the good with the bad, right?

Ha Ken Mac. lol.

Fredrik said...

I'm very surprised. Is pedestrian malls really a new thing in NYC? We've had them in Sweden since 1950!