Buses in Queens will experience significantly faster travel times thanks to the recent completion of nearly eight miles of bus lanes on Hillside Avenue. Announced on Thursday, the redesign of this major thoroughfare, stretching from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard, aims to improve transit efficiency for the 22 MTA bus routes that utilize the corridor.
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) undertook this extensive project, which involved reducing the number of driving lanes by one in each direction. This change allows for the addition of over 600 parking and loading spaces to benefit local businesses. The new layout features a parking lane on each side, one 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 designed to be “offset,” positioned one lane away from the curb and separated by parked vehicles. This arrangement aims to enhance safety and bus travel times. The eastbound bus lane extends from 144th Street to Springfield Boulevard, while the westbound lane covers the stretch from 139th Street to Springfield Boulevard. These bus lanes are enforced 24/7 using camera technology deployed by the MTA.
According to the DOT, over 215,000 passengers use the bus routes along Hillside Avenue daily, surpassing ridership numbers of single transit systems such as NJ Transit Rail or PATH. This redesign is viewed as a pivotal development for improving the public transport experience in the area.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez highlighted the significance of the redesign, stating it represents one of the department’s longest bus priority projects. Historically, buses on this segment have crawled at an average speed of just four miles per hour. The new configuration is expected to reduce wait times at bus stops and enhance the overall rider experience.
“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,” Rodriguez remarked. He also expressed gratitude towards Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA for their support in enhancing this critical transit corridor.
Previously, certain segments of Hillside Avenue had curbside bus lanes operational only during rush hours, marking a significant inconsistency in service. These lanes were among the initial installations in the city back in 1969. The current project, set for completion in 2025, marks the first substantial upgrade in over half a century.
This initiative is part of the DOT’s broader goal to create 150 miles of dedicated bus lanes by 2026, with other projects underway on roads such as 96th Street in Manhattan and Northern Boulevard in Queens. The Hillside Avenue project emerged from extensive community engagement, including around 300 pedestrian surveys conducted in multiple languages, visits to hundreds of businesses, and meetings with local stakeholders.
As Queens continues to enhance its public transportation infrastructure, the newly installed bus lanes on Hillside Avenue stand to make a notable difference for commuters in the region.