Havoc Ensues With NYC Gridlock Delays Beginning This Week With The UN General Assembly
It’s quite literally impossible to avoid traffic delays in NYC (especially considering it’s the worst city for driving to begin with and is the most congested city in the world) and unfortunately there’s no light at the end of the tunnel here–that’s according to the list of Gridlock Alert Days recently released by the NYC DOT, the first of which begin as early as this week.
Beginning today, Monday, September 23rd, New York drivers should expect “extensive street closures and delays across Manhattan” due to the United Nations General Assembly taking place now through Friday, September 27th. NYC DOT is strongly encouraging drivers to instead use alternate modes of transportation, such as regional rail lines, the subway and bus system, ferries (which now have new travel guides that bring sightseeing to a whole new level), cycling, and walking.
Benjamin Jopen
The United Nations General Assembly is hosted in New York City each year, and during this time Midtown traffic speeds reach their slowest point of the year with speeds averaging under 4 four miles per hour–which, if you ask us, is much slower than the average New Yorker walks and honestly not much slower than Midtown traffic on a normal day, which averages between four and six miles per hour.
Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Commissioner Edward Mermelstein stated:
Each year, New York City proudly hosts the United Nations General Assembly, underscoring our position as a global city and the home to the world’s largest diplomatic community. We also acknowledge the impact of [it] on the routine of New Yorkers. We are grateful to our colleagues at the NYC DOT for sharing this advance notification for drivers that will ensure a safe and productive UN General Assembly experience for everyone.
Beyond this week, NYC DOT has identified 15 additional Gridlock Alert Days through the end of the year, right when tourist levels rise and holiday activities start to kick in around the city. On the bright side, we’ll at least have a month off of worrying about gridlock delays during October, perfect for ensuring we have all the time in the world to make it to all those spooky NYC events.
The 2024 Gridlock Alert Days are as follows:
- Monday, September 23
- Tuesday, September 24
- Wednesday, September 25
- Thursday, September 26
- Friday, September 27
- Wednesday, November 20
- Thursday, November 21
- Friday, November 22
- Tuesday, November 26
- Tuesday, December 3
- Wednesday, December 4
- Thursday, December 5
- Friday, December 6
- Tuesday, December 10
- Wednesday, December 11
- Thursday, December 12
- Friday, December 13
- Tuesday, December 17
- Wednesday, December 18
- Thursday, December 19
NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated:
We strongly encourage New Yorkers and those in the region to travel by transit every day of the year—but it’s especially important during Gridlock Alert days…New Yorkers should do their part in minimizing congestion and seeking alternative modes of transportation.
Variable Message System boards are posted around New York City warning drivers of expected delays. More information is posted on NYC DOT’s website.
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