(Originally posted June 30, 2015)
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY
Happy Independence Day! With July 4th on Saturday and most workplaces taking the holiday on Friday, the big getaway will be Thursday afternoon, but don’t be surprised if you see a surge Wednesday afternoon as well. 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 as well as East River bridges. On Sunday evening, drivers will take the Holland and Battery back into the city, as well as the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges.
Fireworks over the 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 Saturday 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 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 Friday and Saturday. Signs that say “No parking” or “No standing” on certain days, in this case Friday and Saturday, are also suspended. Signs with the word “anytime” are still in effect.
On West St./Route 9A, one southbound lane will close between Vesey and West Thames Sts. 10 a.m. to noon Thursday.
A 4th of July pig roast will close Cliff St. between John and Fulton Sts. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Community Board 1 Summer Fair on Fulton will close Fulton St. between Water St. and Gold Sl. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Have a question about a parking ticket, traffic rules, public transportation, or street cleaning rules? If so, send me an e-mail to TransitSam@downtownexpress.com or write to Transit Sam, 322 Eighth Ave.5th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10001.
