New York is a harbor, in case you forgot, and a lot is going on there. EDC recently released its Manhattan Cruise Master Plan, which calls for a makeover of the terminal for cruise ship passengers, the greenway, and the neighborhood access with better air quality, transit, and street connections. There would be a transportation center to keep all taxis inside the terminal, the vehicle ramps would be removed, the idle trucks would be stowed away in the terminal, and the greenway would be much larger for bikes and pedestrians. This is a significant step in the right direction, but as we all know, the devil is in the details.
Additionally, EDC has released its blueprint for a “blue Highway” that would transport goods to a fleet of cargo bikes at designated destinations in Manhattan via barges and ferries. The ambitious idea hinges on how the street network is connected to the river. For instance, because Pier 79 is located in a park and the land’s side is already overcrowded with people, buses, and other vehicles, many in CB4 were taken aback to find it as a possible candidate for pilot in 2026. Piloting this location will require extensive research and collaboration.