New bus lanes have been established on Hillside Avenue in Queens, significantly enhancing transit efficiency for commuters. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the completion of nearly eight miles of dedicated bus lanes, extending from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard. This redesign aims to streamline the travel experience for the approximately 215,000 daily riders who rely on the 22 MTA bus routes that traverse this busy corridor.
The project marks a substantial change in the street’s layout, reducing the number of vehicle driving lanes by one in each direction. Despite this reduction, the redesign introduces over 600 additional parking and loading spaces for local businesses. The new configuration features a parking lane on each side of the street, a travel lane for general vehicle traffic, a lane for left-turning vehicles, and a dedicated lane for buses in both directions.
The bus lanes are strategically placed as “offset” lanes, positioned one lane away from the curb and separated by parked vehicles. This setup ensures that the lanes are operational 24 hours a day, with enforcement measures carried out by the MTA’s bus-mounted camera system. The eastbound bus lane operates from 144th Street to Springfield Boulevard, while the westbound lane stretches from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard.
Impact on Commuters and Local Businesses
Officials anticipate that the new bus lanes will significantly reduce travel times for commuters. Historically, buses along this stretch of Hillside Avenue have moved at an average speed of just four miles per hour. The redesigned layout aims to enhance the rider experience and minimize wait times at bus stops. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez remarked, “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.”
This initiative is part of a broader effort by the DOT to establish 150 miles of dedicated bus lanes throughout the city by 2026. The Hillside Avenue project stands as one of the most extensive bus priority initiatives in the agency’s history. Prior to this development, Hillside Avenue featured inconsistent curbside bus lanes that were first implemented in 1969. The current upgrades represent the first significant improvement to these lanes in over 50 years.
Community engagement played a vital role in shaping this project. The DOT conducted approximately 300 pedestrian surveys in multiple languages, engaged with hundreds of local businesses, and held meetings with community boards, politicians, and stakeholders to gather input and address concerns.
As Queens continues to evolve, the completion of these new bus lanes on Hillside Avenue symbolizes a commitment to improving public transit and supporting local businesses. With the new infrastructure in place, residents and visitors alike can expect a more efficient and reliable travel experience in this bustling area of New York City.
