An infrastructure project aimed at improving bus service and street safety near Yankee Stadium is now underway in the Bronx, city officials announced. Led by the New York City Department of Transportation and the New York City Department of Design and Construction, the initiative will upgrade key portions of East 161st Street and surrounding corridors along the Bx6 Select Bus Service route. The project introduces dedicated bus-only lanes, including converting the 161st Street underpass to exclusive bus use, alongside pedestrian safety improvements and new rider amenities.
The redesign spans East 161st Street from Ruppert Place to Morris Avenue, as well as segments of East 163rd Street and portions of the Bx6 route in Manhattan. A central feature is a fully protected, center-running bus lane along East 161st Street between Concourse Village West and River Avenue, one of the few of its kind in New York City. Construction has already begun on parts of East 163rd Street. The project also upgrades the existing bus tunnel under the Grand Concourse to allow two-way bus traffic, supported by additional westbound bus-only lanes to ease congestion.
Safety and accessibility improvements are a major component of the plan. The city will install full-length boarding islands, curb extensions, and pedestrian refuge islands to shorten crossings and improve visibility. Additional upgrades include 370 ADA-compliant ramps, expanded medians, new lighting and traffic signal poles, and extensive streetscape work featuring new trees and plantings. Crews will also reconstruct roadways and sidewalks while upgrading underground water mains and sewer infrastructure.
The corridor serves approximately 25,000 daily riders on the Bx6 SBS line and connects heavily trafficked areas between Manhattan and the Bronx. Nearby subway access includes the 161st Street–Yankee Stadium station, served by the B, D, and 4 trains, as well as nearby stops along the Grand Concourse and Jerome Avenue lines, providing additional transit connectivity for commuters and visitors.






