Street closure on weekends in US suburbs benefits community and businesses

Street closures free up outdoor spaces that are usually blocked by cars. Photo: 123rf.com

When Orbi Bitraj sees weekend crowds now flocking to Phoenix-ville, Pennsylvania, the United States, on summer nights – some stumbling upon his corner Italian restaurant for the first time, others arriving in groups for reserved tables – he feels an immense sense of gratitude.

And not just for that night’s business. He’s thankful, too, he said, for the borough’s decision two years ago to close the main thoroughfare of Bridge Street and turn it into a pedestrian plaza during warm-weather weekends.