Thurs., July 16 – Wed., July 22
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR EID AL-FITR
Another full weekend closure ahead for Manhattan-bound lanes on the Brooklyn Bridge, and then it’s back to the usual overnight weekly closures. All Manhattan-bound lanes will close 11 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday, midnight Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, and then 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights. This means more traffic on Canal and West Sts. during the closures due to diversions to the Manhattan Bridge and Battery Tunnel.
In the Lincoln Tunnel, one tube will close 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday. This will cause delays and send Manhattan-bound traffic down to the Holland Tunnel.
In the Holland Tunnel, one New York-bound lane and one New Jersey-bound lane will close 11 p.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday, slowing inbound traffic. Expect delays into Canal St.
On West St./Route 9A, one southbound lane will close between Vesey and West Thames Sts. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Closures continue on the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel where one tube is closed nightly 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 p.m. Friday through 5:30 a.m. Monday. During those closures, one lane will be open in each direction in the remaining tube.
The Stone Street Pedestrian Mall will close Stone St. between Hanover Sq. and Broad St., and Mill Ln. between Stone and South William Sts. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day this week.
Remember, alternate side parking rules will be suspended Friday and Saturday for Eid al-Fitr.
From the mailbag:
Dear Transit Sam,
It has infuriated me how the West Side Highway has effectively gone from three lanes to two lanes at the World Trade Center. Despite the subtle “No Standing” signs, taxis pull over and stop to pick up and discharge passengers. I even saw a cab stop in the middle lane to pick up some tourists running out into the road. The congestion has become unbearable. What’s going on with this?
Nancy, Lower Manhattan
Dear Nancy,
The southbound traffic leading into Liberty St. is backed up because of ongoing work dismantling a portion of the pedestrian bridge and returning the exit from the bridge directly onto Liberty St. where it was on 9/11. There are also construction vehicles entering the World Trade Center site, and a vehicle check point right in that area for all cars and trucks entering the World Trade Center so you have a perfect storm of sorts. The bridge work will wrap up this summer.
There are two N.Y.P.D. officers on scooters assigned to the area on weekdays, Monday throughFriday, and at least one on weekends. I’ve asked them to pay attention to drivers stopping in the lane.
Transit Sam
Dear Transit Sam,
I have a question about some of the cars I see parked in my neighborhood. If a car is parked in front of the white pedestrian line and the front bumper of the car sticks out across the white line but the wheels do not touch or pass the white line, will this car still get a summons?
Sarah, New York
Dear Sarah,
It might. A car can park all the way up to the crosswalk, but no part of the car may reach over the crosswalk lines. Now don’t confuse the “Stop Bar,” the white line painted in advance of the crosswalk, with the crosswalk lines. The stop bar has no bearing on parking and a car may park atop it.
Transit Sam
Confused about ever-changing traffic and parking regulations? Need driving tips or help navigating around Lower Manhattan? You can always e-mail me at transitsam@downtownexpress.com or write to Transit Sam, 322 Eighth Ave. Fifth Floor New York, NY 10001. And of course, be sure to follow me on Twitter @GridlockSam.
