Wed., Jan. 1 – Tues., Jan. 7
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED WEDNESDAY FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY
Happy New Years Lower Manhattanites! Here’s the deal with parking rules on New Year’s Day: alternate side parking is suspended, meters are suspended, and all signs without the word ‘Anytime’ are suspended.
New year, new mayor: Bloomberg’s on the way out and de Blasio is taking up his stead at City Hall. President Clinton will preside over Wednesday’s inauguration, which begins at noon. Chambers St. closes to traffic and parking between Broadway and Centre St. 4 p.m. Tuesday to 3 a.m. Thursday. Broadway will close between Reade and Vesey Sts., and Park Row between Broadway and Spruce St. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.
All Manhattan-bound lanes of the Brooklyn Bridge will close 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday nights. Inbound traffic will be detoured to the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges and the Battery Tunnel, so watch out for extra cars on Canal, Delancey, and West Sts.
The New York Boat Show starts Jan. 1 and runs through the weekend at the Javits Center on 34th St. between 11th and 12th Aves., and since you can’t take the 7 train there yet, West St. will be packed. Brooklynites and Long Islanders from the South Shore heading to the show will likely take the Battery Tunnel inbound and cruise up to 34th St.
Loads of closures in the Financial District this week: Beekman St. will close between Gold and Nassau Sts. and William St. will close between Ann and Beekman Sts. 6 a.m. to midnight Saturday and 7 a.m. to midnight Sunday. The intersection of Nassau and Beekman will remain open to northbound traffic during the closures.
Nassau St. will periodically close between Ann and Beekman Sts. through the end of the month. During closures, northbound traffic will be detoured to William St.
Front St. will close between Dover St. and Peck Slip 7 p.m. to midnight Friday for a crane lift.
Theatre Alley will periodically close weekdays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. through the end of the month.
From the mailbag:
Dear Transit Sam,
I have a question about “No Standing Anytime” signs that pertain to one parking spot only. What is the logic behind designating only one parking spot as a “No Standing Anytime” area? Is it a conspiracy to generate extra revenue for the city at the expense of the people who may not read the signs carefully? One example I’m curious about is on Gold St. and Beekman St. facing north.
Johnny, Lower Manhattan
Dear Johnny,
It’s called “daylighting” by traffic engineers and its intent is not to raise money or confuse drivers but for safety and mobility. “Daylighting” is the clearing of parking near intersections so that drivers can see pedestrians and cross-traffic or turning vehicles better. At Gold St. and Beekman St., the “No Standing Anytime” sign is in place for one car length so drivers can better see pedestrians using the crosswalk to cross from east to west. “Daylighting” is also used to make it easier for trucks and buses to turn onto a street or add capacity at an intersection.
Transit Sam
Readers, make a New Year’s resolution to stay out of gridlock this year! Get Gridlock Sam’s 2014 Parking Calendar; a free download is available at bit.ly/gs2014cal and hard copies are available at gridlocksam.com. Alternatively, you can send a check for $3 (plus $1 for each additional calendar) to Transit Sam, 611 Broadway, Suite 415, New York, NY 10012.
