NEW YORK — The Meatpacking District is keeping its streets open permanently to make the neighborhood more walkable. 

The district had already been participating in the Open Streets Program.

Now it will make them permanent with new barriers designed to allow people to walk and bike more freely and safely.

The barriers can be moved to accommodate emergency vehicles when needed.

The closure to vehicles affects three blocks between Ninth Avenue and Washington Street, which are Gansevoort Street, Little West 12th Street and West 13th Street.

There's also the Ninth Avenue slip lane between West 14th and 15th streets.