Crosstown Traffic Near Trump Tower to Reopen, De Blasio Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Ever since Donald Trump won the presidential election Trump Tower — located on West 56th Street and 5th Avenue — has been transformed from a gold-plated tourist trap into a veritable fortress.

But as of Wednesday the city is working to reclaim its space from the president-elect. Drivers will now be allowed to use one lane of traffic on West 56th Street between 5th and 6th avenues, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.

"The safety of New Yorkers and of the President-Elect are our top concern. The changes we are implementing will maintain that security, while allowing for more movement in the area and addressing concerns raised by surrounding businesses," de Blasio said in a statement. "We will continue to examine and carefully confront the challenges presented by this unprecedented responsibility."

On Tuesday a "suspicious package" which turned out to be a backpack full of children's toys caused an evacuation at Trump Tower.

The decision to open up the stretch of West 56th Street will improve Midtown traffic flow and help businesses near Trump Tower by making it easier to receive shipments and by increasing access to the area for shoppers, city officials said Wednesday. The city Department of Small Business Services (SBS) met with stores and restaurants in the vicinity of Trump Tower before coming to the agreement to open the street back up to traffic.

"Our department heard the concerns of small business owners near Trump Tower and we took swift action," Gregg Bishop, Commissioner of SBS, said in a statement. "By working with Mayor de Blasio, the NYPD and other colleagues in government, I am pleased that 56th Street will be reopened and that this big security challenge can be met without harming area small businesses."

A city Department of Transportation (DOT) study showed that in November traffic of West 57th Street between 7th and 5th avenues increased by more than 20 percent.

"DOT is working closely with the NYPD, local businesses and building owners to continue to mitigate the impact of Midtown security measures on traffic, bus routes and pedestrians on our sidewalks," said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg in a statement.

Photo by Google Maps street view.