Dates: Thursday, December 8 – Wednesday, December 14
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE IN EFFECT ALL WEEK
Gridlock alert! The DOT has declared Friday a Gridlock Alert Day. New York’s new normal might be slower roads overall, but on days like Friday, Transit Sam (and the DOT) urge drivers to leave the car at home and hop on the train or bus instead.
On Saturday, thousands of very merry (and I mean merry) Santas will wreak havoc on city streets for SantaCon 2016. Though the official route will be released Friday night, I predict afternoon and evening jams near Union Square and the East Village, where Santas traditionally congregate (whether welcome or not). Expect delays from First to Fifth Aves. between 8th and 14th Sts.
The Cowboys will giddyup to the Big Apple to battle the Giants at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Unlike Monday night’s Jets’ disaster, expect a sell-out crowd to catch these two division rivals. Giants’ fans, including Transit Sam, would like nothing better than to see Eli and company thrash the Cowboys. Fans will be hitting the tunnels and GWB starting around 6 p.m. As always, Lower Manhattan will experience delays along Canal, Varick, and Broome Sts. en route to the Holland Tunnel.
On Friday at noon, the Billboard Women in Music awards will take over Pier 36, on South St. (near the FDR) at Clinton St. Madonna, Kesha, and Shania Twain will be honored this year, and in the past, the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga have graced that red carpet, so expect delays nearby.
December is holiday shopping season, and though Lower Manhattan never gets off scot-free, I predict traffic in Downtown shopping areas will be especially hectic this year with Trump-lock taking over Midtown. Some stores there have even said they’ve already seen the crowds begin to thin out since security in the area has heightened. So be extra wary of driving in SoHo, especially along Broadway and Houston and Canal Sts.
From the Mailbag
Dear Transit Sam,
How and where are decisions made in NYC on what the Alternate-Side Parking cleaning schedule is, and how have they decided how frequently to apply it in which neighborhoods?
Ben
Dear Ben,
Alternate Side Parking days and hours, as well as frequency, are determined by the Department of Sanitation. It’s supposedly based on need — for instance, a more littered neighborhood would have more days of ASP than a tidier, better-maintained one.
Sincerely,
Transit Sam
