A Google Earth aerial screenshot from September 2023.
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The long-running Rotunda restoration project in Riverside Park is moving into a new stage, bringing changes for pedestrians and cyclists who use the 79th Street Rotunda to access the Hudson River Greenway.
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Starting Monday, September 22, the NYC Department of Transportation will shift the way people move between the waterfront and the Upper West Side as part of the four-year restoration effort, which began in 2022 and is slated for completion in 2026.Under the new plan:
- Pedestrians will now take the stepped ramp on the south side of the Rotunda—the route shown in blue on the DOT’s map (below)—pass through the plaza level, and continue to the waterfront.
- Cyclists will be required to dismount and carry their bikes along the same stepped ramp (also shown in blue) to reach or exit the Greenway at West 79th Street. An alternative cycling connection at West 72nd Street will remain open.
- The stepped ramp on the north side of the Rotunda, shown in red, will be closed.
- The new route will be fenced off and lit to DOT standards for safety.
ALSO READ: Public Design Commission Approves 79th Street Boat Basin Design Plans
The $150 million rehabilitation project is aimed at restoring the Rotunda’s historic architecture, strengthening the traffic interchange, modernizing underground facilities, and creating more accessible connections for all users. When complete, the Rotunda will feature updated pedestrian and bike paths, ADA-compliant spaces, and a refreshed gateway linking the Upper West Side with the Hudson River waterfront.
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