Mayor Bloomberg unveiled a new plaza in Times Square on Monday, part of a larger $55 million project to create almost 150,000 square feet of pedestrian-friendly space at the Crossroads of the World.
Although the project has faced delays, New Year’s Eve revelers will enjoy 30,000 square feet of permanent space created on Broadway between 42nd and 43rd streets. Other spaces will be added between 43rd and 47th streets by 2015.
The city began installing temporary plazas in Times Square in 2009, where about 400,000 people pass through each day on foot.
Bloomberg said the redesign of the area has led to a drop in traffic injuries.