The Department of Transportation released a list of gridlock alert days for the rest of 2022, which include next week's United Nations General Assembly and the holiday season.
The department says drivers should expect extensive street closures and delays across Manhattan for the week of the U.N. General Assembly which runs from Sept. 19 to Sept 23.
“We acknowledge the concerns of New Yorkers whose routines are affected by the opening of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week,” Edward Mermelstein, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs said. “This initiative to provide advance notification to drivers will help ensure a safe and productive experience for everyone, while also supporting New York City small businesses.”
Nineteen Gridlock Alert Days are expected to happen for the end of this year, where the DOT says traffic is expected to be at its slowest and most congested.
According to traffic data from the department, the average motor vehicle speed in Midtown during the U.N. General Assembly is the slowest of the year—less than five miles per hour. Officials recommend drivers to use alternative travel modes to avoid delays.
“As the end of the year approaches, we know the exact days when we expect our streets will see the most traffic and unwelcome congestion,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said. “New York is proud to host the United Nations and welcome delegations from so many nations, and during next week’s U.N. General Assembly, we are letting New Yorkers know the key to avoiding the congestion next week is to try walking, mass transit, or riding a bicycle to get to their destination.”
The agency also announced that protected bike lanes in East Midtown along First and Second Avenue will remain open during the U.N. General Assembly week for the over 7,000 cyclists that use the lanes daily.
According to the release, cyclists will be able to use the First Avenue Tunnel between East 40th and East 49th Streets 24 hours a day next week, while Second Avenue will have a temporary bike lane between East 47th and East 42nd Streets until 9pm.
They added cyclists may be subject to security checkpoints and unannounced traffic freezes.
Here is a complete list of the gridlock alert days:
Monday, Sept. 19, 2022
Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022
Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022
Friday, Sept. 23, 2022
Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022
Friday, Dec. 2, 2022
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022
Friday, Dec. 9, 2022
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022
Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022