NYC Gridlock Alert Days start for 2024, as U.N. General Assembly enters high-level week
NEW YORK -- New York City's Gridlock Alert Days are here for the 2024 season, with the United Nations General Assembly's high-level week underway on Manhattan's East Side.
Security is also ramped up around the city, with President Joe Biden and more than 140 world leaders in town throughout the week. Biden delivered his final U.N. speech as president Tuesday, focusing heavily on foreign policy, including the growing tension in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.
"My fellow leaders, I truly believe we're at another inflection point in world history," he said. "Where the choices we make today will determine the future for decades to come."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the General Assembly on Wednesday. He was followed by the leaders of Lebanon along with a representative for the Palestinian Authority on Thursday, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday.
NYC announces Gridlock Alert Days for 2024
The city's Department of Transportation identified 20 days when traffic is expected to be at its worst. They include the U.N. General Assembly high-level week from Sept. 23 through Sept. 27, as well as the holiday tourism season.
During these days, transportation officials encourage New Yorkers to use mass transit, as much as possible.
"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," NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement. "The UN General Assembly is a great event each year the city is proud to host, but New Yorkers should do their part in minimizing congestion and seeking alternative modes of transportation."
Data shows the average speed in Midtown drops to less than 4 miles per hour during the General Assembly week, compared to normal averages between 4 and 6 miles per hour.
Making even more of a mess, crews had to clean up a fuel spill Monday on the Upper East Side. The FDNY responded around 8:30 a.m. to a spill involving approximately 100 gallons at East 67th Street between Lexington and 3rd avenues. The nearby 19th Precinct was temporarily evacuated, but it did not impact 911 calls in the area.
Map shows U.N. General Assembly street closures
The U.N. General Assembly started Tuesday, Sept. 10 and lasts until Monday, Sept. 30, with the High-Level Debate taking place from Sept. 24 through 28.
Drivers should expect delays along 1st Avenue between 34th and 63rd streets, as well as the FDR Drive.
The NYPD says 57th and 42nd streets will be limited to one lane in either direction from 2nd to 5th avenues, and 1st Ave will be what's considered a "frozen zone" from 40th to 49th streets.
The following street closures are in effect until Sept. 29.
- FDR Drive between Whitehall Street and 42nd Street
- Area bounded by East 86th Street on the North, East 80th Street on the South, Park Avenue on the East and 5th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 60th Street on the North, 34th Street on the South, 1st Avenue on the East and 3rd Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 57th Street on the North, 45th Street on the South, 3rd Avenue on the East and Madison Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by 58th Street on the North, 49th Street on the South, Madison Avenue on the East and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas on the West; All inclusive
- Area bounded by West 47th Street on the North, West 44th Street on the South, 7th Avenue on the East and 8th Avenue on the West; All inclusive
- Grand Army Plaza between 58th Street and 60th Street
- Grand Army Plaza between East Drive and 5th Avenue
- 8th Avenue between West 49th Street and West 44th Street
- 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 46th Street
- 5th Avenue between East 63rd Street and East 49th Street
- Madison Avenue between East 58th Street and East 42nd Street
- Vanderbilt Avenue between East 47th Street and East 42nd Street
- Park Avenue between East 62nd Street and East 45th Street
- Lexington Avenue between East 57th Street and East 42nd Street
- East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 62nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 61st Street between 5th Avenue and Lexington Avenue
- West 59th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- West/East 58th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
- West/East 57th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
- West 56th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West 55th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West 54th Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West/East 53rd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
- West 52nd Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West 51st Street between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
- West/East 50th Street between 7th Avenue and Dead End / FDR Drive
- West/East 49th Street between 8th Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
- FDR Drive Service Road between East 48th Street and East 49th Street
- East 48th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
- West 46th Street between 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
- West/East 42nd Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
- West/East 34th Street between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
NYC Gridlock Alert Days for holiday tourism season
Once UNGA is over, gridlock alert days return ahead of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. They stick around throughout December, when throngs of tourists will descend on the city for the iconic holiday lights and shopping.
Here's the full list of gridlock alert dates for the rest of the year.
- 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
In years past, the city has also set up a car-free zone around Rockefeller Center during the busy holiday period.