Thurs., July 3 – Wed., July 9
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED FRIDAY FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY
Happy Independence Day! With July 4th on Friday, the big getaway will be Thursday afternoon. Expect a crunch at every bridge and tunnel out of Lower Manhattan. The F.D.R. and West St. will be jammed with drivers heading to the Holland and Battery tunnels. On Sunday afternoon, drivers will take the Holland and Battery back into the city, as well as the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges.
Fireworks over East River this Fourth! In addition to the entire Brooklyn Bridge, the Macy’s show will close streets in Manhattan and Brooklyn near the river on Friday afternoon into the evening. In Manhattan, the F.D.R. will close between the Battery Park Underpass and Houston St. beginning around 4 p.m. Streets in the area bounded by Grand St., the Brooklyn Bridge, the F.D.R. and East Broadway will gradually close, beginning with the streets closest to the river. This means more traffic on the avenues west of First Ave. and on the West Side Highway.
The Manhattan Bridge will stay open in both directions during the fireworks, but beware that traffic will be very slow. Not only will all the Brooklyn Bridge traffic divert to the Manhattan, but drivers will slow down to get a view of the fireworks. Avoid driving between Brooklyn and Manhattan during the show. Additionally, the pedestrian and bike paths on the Manhattan Bridge will close.
Both meter and alternate side parking rules are suspended on Friday. Signs that say “No parking” or “No standing” on certain days, in this case Friday, are also suspended. Signs with the word “anytime” are still in effect.
On West St. / Route 9A, one lane will close in each direction between West Thames and Vesey Sts. 10 a.m. to noon Thursday.
A 4th of July pig roast will close Cliff St. between John and Fulton Sts. noon to 9 p.m. Friday.
The McBurney YMCA 6th Avenue Festival will close Sixth Ave. between 14th and 23rd Sts. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Northbound traffic will head to Eighth Ave., and may back up down to the West Village.
Have a question about a parking ticket, traffic rules, public transportation, or street cleaning rules? If so, send me an e-mail at TransitSam@downtownexpress.com.
