Source: New York City will keep Broadway closed to traffic in Times Square

Source: NYC to keep Broadway closed to traffic

NEW YORK — A person familiar with the decision says New York City plans to keep Broadway permanently closed to traffic in Times Square after a trial run.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the announcement had not been made. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has decided to keep the area a pedestrian walkway and is to make the announcement Thursday.

The city created pedestrian plazas on two stretches of Broadway last year. The goals were to reduce pollution, increase safety and improve traffic flow.

The eight-month experiment has annoyed drivers. But it’s been positively reviewed by pedestrians and tourists.

The city is to release data Thursday of the resulting midtown traffic patterns. Taxi trips were studied using GPS in the cabs.