ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING IS IN EFFECT ALL WEEK
Just when you thought the U.N. General Assembly madness was over, President Obama is coming to town Friday to visit a school in Brooklyn and attend two Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee fundraisers in Manhattan. Typically Lower Manhattan is impacted because POTUS frequently uses the Wall St. heliport. Follow me on Twitter @gridlocksam as I get more info.
Alleged al Qaeda terrorist Abu Anas al-Libi will stand trial this week at the Federal Courthouse in Foley Square, which means loads of security. Expect traffic on Centre St. to be affected north of Chambers St.
Special alert for the Brooklyn Bridge! All Manhattan-bound lanes will close for 54 consecutive hours, midnight Friday to 6 a.m. Monday. Expect extra traffic in the Brooklyn-Battery (Hugh L. Carey) Tunnel and on the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, and on West, Canal, and Delancey Sts. All Manhattan-bound lanes will also close 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Monday, and Tuesday nights.
At the Lincoln Tunnel, all lanes of the inbound helix (the spiral approach road) will close 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday through Friday nights, sending some drivers down to the Holland Tunnel and onto Canal St. Even more Manhattan-bound drivers will take the Holland Thursday night, when the inbound tube of the Lincoln Tunnel closes 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The Taste of the Seaport event will close Front St. between Beekman St. and Peck Slip 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
The Sons of Italy Freedom Block Party will close Liberty St. between Broadway and Trinity Pl. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
The Astor Place Festival will close Astor Pl. between Broadway and Lafayette St. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
On West St./Route 9A between West Thames and Chambers Sts., two northbound lanes will close 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. weeknights and two northbound lanes will close midnight to 5 a.m. weeknights. Two lanes will close in each direction 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Peck Slip is fully closed between Pearl and Water Sts. as of Monday. Use Dover St. as an alternative route. Only northbound traffic is allowed on Water St. between Beekman St. and Peck Slip. The closures are expected to end in about two months.
From the mailbag:
Dear Transit Sam,
On the day of the NYC marathon, I have to be at the Tribeca Grill for a birthday dinner on at 5:30. I am traveling from Putnam County. I was planning on going down the West Side Highway. Will this be open and how much additional time should I leave for the traffic?
Elaine, Putnam County
Dear Elaine,
Yes, the West Side Highway will be open Sun., Nov. 3, but that’s where you’ll find lots of other drivers because the East Side (although not the F.D.R.) will have closures on First Ave. and 5th Ave. and many people don’t want to go anywhere near the East Side or F.D.R. (in case there’s a traffic jam — no outlet). I’d leave an extra half-hour to play it safe. In any event I hear the Tribeca Grill is terrific — enjoy!
Transit Sam
A Transit Sam success story: Last week a reader notified me about a parking scam where a fire hydrant is being covered by an orange construction barrel. He got a ticket for parking next to the hydrant while it was covered. I advised that he see when the hydrant was installed, or at least call the precinct so they get the offender. Turns out he got off using Transit Sam’s advice!
