West Street (Manhattan)

West Street (Manhattan)
source
Name	West Street
Caption	West Street looking north from the World Trade Center
Length mi	4.0
Length km	6.4
Direction a	South
Terminus a	Battery Place in the Financial District
Direction b	North
Terminus b	12th Avenue at 59th Street in Hell's Kitchen
Borough	Manhattan
System	New York State Highway System
Maint	NYSDOT and NYCDOT

West Street (Manhattan) is a major north-south thoroughfare running along the western edge of Lower Manhattan and Midtown Manhattan. For much of its length, it functions as a surface-level segment of New York State Route 9A and is a critical artery for traffic along the Hudson River. The street is historically significant as part of the city's original waterfront and is lined with numerous iconic skyscrapers, transportation hubs, and public spaces.

Route description

West Street originates at Battery Place near Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry terminal, skirting the historic Castle Clinton. It proceeds northward, closely paralleling the Hudson River and the Hudson River Park, passing the World Financial Center and the World Trade Center site. The roadway transitions through areas like the West Village and Chelsea, where it runs adjacent to the Chelsea Piers sports complex. North of the Lincoln Tunnel entrance, it merges with 12th Avenue around 59th Street, near the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

History

The street's path was established in the 18th century as part of the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, formalizing the western boundary of the expanding city. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a bustling waterfront corridor dominated by fish markets, railroad terminals, and ferry docks, serving the Port of New York and New Jersey. Major projects like the construction of the West Side Highway and the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel in the mid-20th century altered its profile. The tragic September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center caused significant damage to the street's southern section, leading to extensive reconstruction and the creation of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

Major intersections

Key junctions along West Street include its southern terminus at Battery Place and State Street, intersecting with Vesey Street at the World Trade Center. It crosses important crosstown routes like Canal Street, 14th Street, and 34th Street, which provides access to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The complex interchange with the Lincoln Tunnel approach roads occurs near 40th Street, facilitating traffic to New Jersey. The northern terminus is a merge with 12th Avenue at 59th Street, adjacent to the Circle Line.

Transportation

West Street is a vital component of Manhattan's transportation network, carrying New York State Route 9A traffic. It provides crucial access to the Lincoln Tunnel, the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, and the West Side Highway. Public transit is served by several MTA Regional Bus Operations routes, including the M20 and M22, and it is near subway stations like World Trade Center PATH and 14th Street/Eighth Avenue. The street also features protected bike lanes as part of the Hudson River Greenway, a segment of the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway.

Notable buildings and landmarks

The street is flanked by an array of significant structures, including the World Trade Center complex, One World Trade Center, and the World Financial Center with its Winter Garden Atrium. Cultural and historical sites include the Irish Hunger Memorial, the Skyscraper Museum, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Further north stand architectural icons like the Starrett-Lehigh Building in Chelsea and the Luxury residential towers of Battery Park City. The western edge is defined by recreational piers and parks like Pier 40 and Pier 57, part of the expansive Hudson River Park.

Category:Roads in Manhattan Category:Transportation in New York City