NYC plans expanded sidewalks on part of Canal Street crammed with bootleg vendors

The city plans to expand the sidewalks on a notoriously cramped stretch of Canal Street where street vendors hawking bootleg goods create a pedestrian bottleneck, according to a transportation department proposal obtained by Gothamist.

The proposal, which was presented to Lower Manhattan elected officials last month, would extend the walkways on both sides of the busy crosstown street between Broadway and Elizabeth streets. The plan would also eliminate an eastbound traffic lane between Sixth Avenue and Hudson Street while turning the triangle at Baxter Street, where the Chinatown information kiosk sits, into a pedestrian plaza.

The crosstown passageway is notorious for its congested sidewalks marred with street vendors, tourists and locals hawking fake designer bags and Apple products.