UN General Assembly To Bring Obama, Street Closures To City

By: NY1 News

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Dignitaries from across the globe will be in Manhattan this week for the United Nations General Assembly, causing numerous street closures.

That means lots of security and lots of street closures on the East Side.

"Just wake up earlier, catch an earlier train, drive in a little earlier, find parking faster if you can. Whatever you got to do, whatever it takes," said one New Yorker.

The tie-ups could last longer than usual, with President Barack Obama sticking around awhile. He'll address the General Assembly Wednesday but has other speeches and meetings Tuesday and Thursday.

While less foot traffic may spell trouble for some local stores, workers at Plaza Gardens say during the General Assembly, they do just fine.

"I think it's more than usual because of those delegations from all those countries so it's more than we expect on regular days," said Tony Hidayat of Plaza Gardens.

Avanti Coffee House opened two days before last year's General Assembly. Employees there say their biggest challenge was making sure the store was stocked.

"They blocked some streets and delivery guy was walking like two or three blocks to our store to deliver the stuff," said one Avanti Coffee House employee.

Streets that are closed to traffic mean cab drivers can't always go door to door either. But because this is New York, there are some ways around that.

"Whatever I got to do to get around that's what I got to do. As long as it's legal. Sometimes we make illegal turns and we get nailed for it," said one cab driver.

There will be a strong police presence around the UN during the General Assembly -- a measure many find reassuring. And if it comes with some barricades, some residents on Manhattan's East Side say it's just not that big a deal.

"You need security for these dignitaries that are coming in. I think it's important to have that," said one New Yorker.

"If we're able to showcase our city to some of these dignitaries from other countries I think we should welcome it with open arms," said another New Yorker.

UN-Related Street Closings

For the first week of the United Nations General Assembly, the following streets will be completely closed to traffic beginning Sunday, September 20th at 2 a.m. until 11: 59 p.m. Thursday, September 24th:
• 49th Street from Lexington Avenue to Park Avenue
• 50th Street from Lexington Avenue to Park Avenue

Please note: Trucks and other large vehicles will not be able to access:
• Park Avenue from 48th Street to 52nd Street
• Lexington Avenue 48th Street to 52nd Street

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

The following streets will have one traffic lane dedicated to emergency vehicles for the duration of the General Assembly:
• 42nd Street from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue
• 57th Street from 2nd Avenue to 5th Avenue
• 2nd Avenue from 42nd Street to 57th Street

The FDR DRIVE will be subject to intermittent closures:
• Southbound at 63rd Street
• Northbound at South Ferry

Beginning at approximately 6 p.m. the following streets in the vicinity of the United Nations will be closed to vehicular traffic:
• 1st Avenue from 42nd Street to 48th Street. The tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48 Street will remain open
• 44th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 45th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 46th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2009

The following streets in the vicinity of the United Nations will continued to be closed to vehicular traffic:
• 1st Avenue from 42nd Street to 48th Street. The tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48th Street will remain open to passenger cars. Trucks and other large vehicles will not be able to access until the end of each day's session.
• 44th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 45th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 46th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 49th Street from 3rd Avenue to Lexington Avenue

The following will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at approximately 5:00 a.m.:
• 42nd Street from the FDR Drive to 2nd Avenue
• 42nd Street Exit and Entrance Ramps of the FDR Drive
Please note: These areas will reopen each evening after the day's session

The FDR DRIVE will be subject to intermittent closures:
• Southbound at 63rd Street
• Northbound at 34th Street

Additional intermittent closures to vehicular traffic for Tuesday beginning at 7 a.m. include:
• 50th Street from Park Avenue to 1st Avenue
• 1st Avenue from 42nd Street to 50th Street

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2009

The following streets in the vicinity of the United Nations will continued to be closed to vehicular traffic:
• 1st Avenue from 42nd Street to 48th Street. The tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48 Street will remain open to passenger cars but will be subject to intermittent closures. Trucks and other large vehicles will not be able to access until the end of each day's session.
• 44th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 45th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 46th Street from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 49th Street from 3rd Avenue to Lexington Avenue

The FDR DRIVE will be subject to intermittent closures:
• Southbound at 63rd Street
• Northbound at 34th Street

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UN General Assembly To Bring Obama, Street Closures To City

UN-Related Street Closings