REVEALS HIS PLAN TO AID CITY TRAFFIC

The New York Times
December 17, 1922

Borough President Miller Would Open New Streets and Remove Surface Tracks.

CUT DOWN PARKING SPACE

Shifting of Elevated Railway Pillars to Curb Line Is Also Suggested.

The opening of new streets, the removal of surface car tracks, the shifting of elevated railway columns from the middle of the street to curb lines, and the elimination of parking spaces from the principal thoroughfares of Manhattan are some of the most important steps to be recommended to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment by Borough President Julius Miller to relieve traffic congestion.  Discussing his plan yesterday, he said that it contemplated the development of existing facilities with the least expense to the city.

Mr. Miller has been at work for months on the traffic problem of New York City, which centres largely in Manhattan Island.  His solution of traffic difficulties at Thirty-fourth Street and Broadway by the relocation of surface car tracks, the removal of elevated pillars and the rearrangement of entrances to the tubes and stairways connecting with the Sixth Avenue elevated have received the endorsement the business men of that district, and his plan for the opening of Depew Place for free movement of traffic past the Grand Central Terminal on Park Avenue has received even wider commendation.

"It is my opinion," he said, "that this question resolves itself into three district phases—first, maintaining our present arteries of travel in a better state of repair; second, increasing the traffic capacity of these arteries, and third, opening up new arteries of travel."  In connection with the third phase of his program, President Miller suggests that the following new streets be opened:

Exterior Street along the East River, from Corlears Street to Eighteenth Street, and from Twenty-fourth to Twenty-ninth Street and from Forty-second to Sixty-fourth Street; outlet for Sixth Avenue through Central Park and opening of Depew Place.

"I would also add," he said, "that the following improvements would add materially to the relief of traffic congestion through the city:

"Removing all street railway tracks which are not in use.

"Shifting of elevated columns from the roadway to the curb line.

"Removal of two sets of car tracks on Park Row, the Bowery and West Twenty-third Street.

"Removal of all parking spaces from the roadways of Park Avenue from Thirty-fourth to Ninety-sixth Street; Seventh Avenue, 110th to 153d Street; Broadway from Sixtieth to 122d Street; Broadway from 135th to 166th Street, and Delancey Street. from the Bowery to Essex Street."

Limited appropriations have always made it impossible, according to President Miller, to maintain the streets of Manhattan in a state of repair commensurate with traffic requirements, but he predicts that conditions will be improved next year.

"The traffic capacity of existing thoroughfares," he said, "is being increased by the widening of roadways, the increasing of curb radii at the corners so as to make it easier to get from one street to another, extending streets to connect important arteries of travel, or to lead an important artery of travel to a proper outlet; elimination of steep grades, removal of obstructions such as 'L' columns and unused car tracks.

"The second part of our problem is being solved by the policy of the Borough President to take into consideration the necessity for widening the roadway in connection with every street which he repaves.  Where the repaving will not take place in the near future the policy has been adopted to widen the roadway without repaving, especially in the territory bounded by Fourteentht Street on the south, Fifty-ninth Street on the north, Park Avenue on the east and Eighth Avenue on the west.

"In connection with all repaving and widening contracts the curb cornered are increased from six feet radius to twelve feet radius, thereby facilitating the movement of traffic from one street into another.  There are a great many corners in the city, however, where this should be done immediately, and steps are being taken in that direction."