Thurs., Oct. 2 – Wed., Oct. 8
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED SATURDAY AND MONDAY
POTUS GRIDLOCK ALERT! If you thought your presidential traffic woes had come and gone with the UN General Assembly, think again: President Obama will return to the city on Tuesday for a special fundraising event. He’ll likely arrive to J.F.K. around 1:30 p.m., chopper to Wall St., and motorcade to Tribeca on West Broadway between White St. and Franklin St. This will have widespread impacts in Lower Manhattan with West Broadway being closed sending southbound traffic to Broadway. There will also be some impact on cars exiting the Holland Tunnel heading east on Beach St. and Walker St. He has a second fundraiser so stay tuned and follow me on Twitter for the most up-to-date info.
The Bike MS Tour on Sunday is expecting 5,000 participants this year. Lower Manhattan will see traffic impacts from rolling closures on the West Side Highway, F.D.R. Drive, Henry Hudson Parkway and the Holland Tunnel between 5:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The tour will start at 7:30 a.m. and head down West St., closing 54th St. to Canal St, where Canal St. will be closed to the Holland Tunnel entrance. The shorter 30 mile route will close the northbound F.D.R. Drive starting at the Battery Park Underpass up across Harlem River Dr. to 10th Ave. and along W. 218th St. to Seaman Ave. back down to Riverside Dr. ending at 56th St.
At MetLife Stadium, the Giants play the Falcons 1 p.m. Sunday. This means slowdowns in the Holland Tunnel as drivers detour south from the Lincoln.
One tube of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel will close 9 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. The remaining tube will carry one lane of traffic in each direction. Expect delays on West St., and on the inbound Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
Charter school supporters will demonstrate in Foley Sq. 9 a.m. to noon Thursday. The demo will close Centre and Lafayette Sts. between Duane and Worth Sts.
The Deepavali Festival will close John St. between Front and Water Sts., Water St. between Fulton and Fletcher Sts., and Front St. between John St. and Maiden Ln. noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
From the mailbag:
Dear Transit Sam,
Is it possible for a school crossing guard to give directions against a traffic light?
Molly, New York
Dear Molly,
Yes, a school crossing guard can overrule a traffic signal although I strongly advise against doing so except to stop traffic when a pedestrian is at risk. I certainly don’t want them to “pull” cars through on “red.” According to the New York City Traffic Rules, “A law enforcement officer, school crossing guard or a bridge and tunnel officer may disregard any traffic signal or rule in order to expedite the movement of traffic or to safeguard pedestrians or property.”
Transit Sam
Send your traffic, transit and parking questions to transitsam@downtownexpress.com.
