City Hall's School-Street Plan Brings 15-Mph Limits to More New York Blocks
More than 200 school slow zones are in place, and the administration is aiming for roughly 800 by year-end; street redesigns and a gated Open Street are also on the agenda.
By Marcus Bell · September 23, 2026 · 3 min read
NEW YORK — City Hall's campaign to slow traffic around schools is moving from a policy pledge to a block-by-block redesign. The Department of Transportation said on Sept. 9 that it had installed 15-mph school slow zones at more than 200 locations this year and expects roughly 800 by the end of 2026. The work is part of the Mamdani administration's use of Sammy's Law, which gives New York City authority to set lower speed limits on eligible streets.
The program is not confined to new signs. City officials said they are carrying out safety upgrades near more than 300 schools and preparing the city's first gated school Open Street on Clarkson Street in Tribeca, between Hudson and Varick streets. That project is designed to add pedestrian space and seating, improve crossings and make drivers more visible to children entering and leaving nearby schools. The city said 77 school Open Streets are returning for the 2026-27 school year.
Lower speeds can give drivers more time to respond and reduce the severity of collisions, but a speed-limit sign alone does not guarantee compliance. The practical test for the city will be whether street geometry, enforcement and school-hour operations reinforce the posted limit. Officials have set a numerical target for installations; they have not yet shown that every completed location produces a measurable reduction in injuries.
For families, the changes will be felt at specific intersections, not in an abstract citywide average. Parents and drivers should check posted signs and local school-street schedules, which can vary by location. The administration's larger promise is to bring a 15-mph limit to every eligible school location during its first term. Whether it meets its 2026 milestone will depend on the pace of installation through the fall.