Buses in Queens will experience improved travel times with the completion of nearly eight miles of new bus lanes along Hillside Avenue. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the successful implementation of this project on Thursday, which spans from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard.
This corridor serves as a vital route for approximately 215,000 daily riders across 22 MTA bus routes. The redesign aims to enhance the speed and efficiency of bus travel while also accommodating local businesses.
Key Features of the Redesign
The redesign reduces the number of travel lanes by one in each direction, but it adds over 600 new parking and loading spaces for local businesses. The new layout includes a designated parking lane on each side of the street, a single travel lane for vehicles, a left-turn lane, and a bus lane in each direction. Notably, the bus lanes are positioned one lane away from the curb, separated by parked vehicles, a design described by the DOT as “offset.”
These bus lanes will operate 24/7 and will be enforced using MTA bus-mounted camera systems. The eastbound bus lane runs from 144th Street to Springfield Boulevard, while the westbound lane extends from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard.
Impact on Public Transit
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez emphasized that this project marks one of the longest bus priority initiatives in the department’s history, stating it will significantly improve the experience for bus passengers. Historically, buses along this section of Hillside Avenue have traveled at an average speed of just four miles per hour. The new infrastructure is designed to expedite bus rides and reduce wait times at stops.
“NYC DOT is changing the game, one bus lane at a time,” Rodriguez noted. “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 also expressed gratitude to Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA for their support in enhancing this critical transit corridor.
Before this redesign, parts of Hillside Avenue featured curbside bus lanes that operated only during peak hours. These lanes, which were some of the first implemented in the city back in 1969, have not seen a significant upgrade in over five decades. The current project represents a major advancement in public transit infrastructure for the area.
The Hillside Avenue initiative is part of a broader goal set by the DOT to establish 150 miles of dedicated bus lanes across New York City by 2026. Other projects include improvements on 96th Street in Manhattan, Northern Boulevard in Queens, and Livingston Street in Brooklyn.
The DOT conducted around 300 pedestrian surveys, held meetings with community boards, and consulted with local businesses and stakeholders to inform the redesign. These efforts reflect the department’s commitment to creating a more efficient and accessible public transportation system for all New Yorkers.
