Public transportation in Queens has taken a significant leap forward with the completion of nearly eight miles of new bus lanes along Hillside Avenue. Announced by NYC transportation officials on Thursday, this redesign aims to enhance travel speeds for the 22 MTA bus routes traversing this vital corridor, which connects various communities, including Jamaica and Queens Village.
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) spearheaded the project, which involves a comprehensive redesign of Hillside Avenue from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard. While the new layout reduces the number of driving lanes by one in each direction, it also introduces over 600 additional parking and loading spaces to benefit local businesses. The updated road configuration includes a dedicated bus lane in each direction, a travel lane for vehicles, a lane for left turns, and a parking lane on either side.
The bus lanes are strategically placed one lane away from the curb and are separated by parked vehicles, a design referred to as “offset.” This configuration is expected to enhance the efficiency of bus operations, as the lanes are enforced 24/7 by cameras mounted on MTA buses. The eastbound lane extends from 144th Street to Springfield Boulevard, while the westbound lane covers 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard.
Over 215,000 passengers utilize the bus routes on Hillside Avenue daily, a figure that surpasses the daily ridership of single transit systems like NJ Transit Rail or PATH, according to the DOT. Officials assert that these new bus lanes will significantly improve travel times for riders, who have historically experienced an average speed of only four miles per hour on this stretch.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez emphasized the importance of the redesign, stating, “NYC DOT is changing the game, one bus lane at a time—and this redesign of Hillside Avenue brings consistent, camera-enforced bus lanes across the corridor while freeing up curb space to support local shops with their deliveries and customer access.” He expressed gratitude to Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA for their support in enhancing this critical transit corridor.
Before the new bus lanes were implemented, portions of Hillside Avenue featured curbside bus lanes that operated only during rush hours. These lanes, established in 1969, represent the first major update in over 50 years, marking a significant transformation in the area’s public transportation infrastructure.
The Hillside Avenue project is part of the DOT’s broader initiative to establish 150 miles of dedicated bus lanes by 2026. Other enhancements include projects on 96th Street in Manhattan, Northern Boulevard in Queens, and Livingston Street in Brooklyn. The DOT undertook extensive community engagement during this project, conducting around 300 pedestrian surveys in multiple languages and meeting with local stakeholders to ensure that the redesign meets the needs of the community.
As these changes take effect, Queens residents can look forward to a more efficient and accessible public transportation system, setting a new standard for bus travel in the city.
