Dates: Thurs., June 30 – Wed., July 6
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY
Happy Independence Day! The big getaway will be on Thursday and Friday afternoons (Thursday may be worse) as many take advantage of the long weekend ahead, but don’t be surprised if you see a surge on Wednesday afternoon as well. Expect a crunch at every bridge and tunnel out of Lower Manhattan. The FDR and West St. will be jammed with drivers heading to the Holland and Battery tunnels as well as the East River bridges. On Monday evening, drivers will take the Holland and Battery tunnels back into the city, as well as the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges. Follow me on Twitter @GridlockSam to stay aware of any unexpected closures or slowdowns across the city. Your best bet to leave the city will be after 9 p.m. on Friday.
On Saturday, the Community Board 1 Great July Fourth Fair will close Fulton St. between Water and Gold Sts. from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. And a July Fourth block party on Saturday will close Cliff St. between John and Fulton Sts. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Lower Manhattan Independence Day Parade also steps off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, moving from Battery Park City along Rector St. to Broadway, then heading south to Bowling Green. The parade is supposed to stay on the sidewalk, but last year, police allowed the procession to take over the streets as well.
Both meter and alternate side parking rules are suspended on Monday. Parking signs that say “No parking” or “No standing” on certain days — in this case Monday — are also suspended, but signs with the word “ANYTIME” are still in effect.
Fireworks over East River again this Fourth! In addition to the entire Brooklyn Bridge, the Macy’s show will also close streets in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn near the river on Monday afternoon into the evening. In Manhattan, the FDR will close between the Battery Park Underpass and Houston St. beginning around 6 p.m. Streets in the area bounded by Grand St., the Brooklyn Bridge, the FDR, 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.
