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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 15, 2002
PR- 297-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER IRIS WEINSHALL ANNOUNCE HOLIDAY TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN

Makes Changes To Thru Street Program

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Iris Weinshall today unveiled the City’s annual Holiday Traffic Control Plan, which includes “gridlock alert” days, a new initiative on Crosswalks television and an alteration to the Thru Streets Midtown program.

“We are always looking for new ways to improve traffic flow in New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “We are modifying and improving the Thru Streets Program and preparing for the Holiday Traffic Crush.”

“After an initial adjustment period, the Thru Streets program worked in many ways as expected,” Commissioner Weinshall said.  “With the exception of only one street – 59th Street – the streets on average processed better than before.”

During the adjustment period - the first four weeks -- the program actually performed as expected.  Although there were delays in the first few days, the program began to show success late in the first week:

Accordingly, with two alterations, we will keep Thru Streets in place throughout the holiday season.  However, based upon feedback from the community, local businesses and civic groups, as well as data analysis, the City will make two adjustments to the program:

These changes will go into effect at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 18.

The Thru Streets Midtown program began on Tuesday, October 15, and it prohibits turns on 10 streets between Sixth and Third Avenue.  DOT has received positive feedback from pedestrians – who are granted exclusive crossing times at more than 30 intersections.

In summary, here are the new parameters of the Thru Streets program:

Turns will be barred between 3rd and 6th Avenues, except Park Avenue, on the following streets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays:

Gridlock Alert Day
Commissioner Weinshall also designated 10 “gridlock alert” days for the upcoming holiday season.  A “gridlock alert” day is when DOT anticipates at least an 8 percent increase in vehicular traffic.   These “gridlock” days are as follows:

Single Occupancy Vehicle Restrictions:
The City also will continue its Single Occupancy Vehicle restrictions in the foreseeable future at the lower five Manhattan crossings:  the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges, the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and the Lincoln Tunnel.  SOV restrictions remain in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays.  The City also has implemented a High Occupancy Vehicle lane for three or more passengers along the Gowanus Expressway, from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.  Commissioner Weinshall announced that SOV restrictions and HOV-3 restrictions will be lifted on the following three days:  Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, Christmas Day, December 25th and New Years Day, January 1, 2003.

Church Street Busway:
To improve express and local bus service in lower Manhattan, DOT started a Church Street busway during the morning (6 to 10) and afternoon (3 to 7) rush hours on weekdays.  The Trinity Place exit of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel is closed and only buses are permitted to turn onto Greenwich Street from Battery Place. 

Alternate Side of Street Parking Lifted:
A reminder: alternate side of the street parking rules are lifted during the following holidays: November 28 (Thanksgiving); December 6 (Idul-Fitr); December 8 (Immaculate Conception); December 25 (Christmas) and January 1, 2003 (New Year’s Day).

Construction Embargo:
With the exception of emergencies or buildings already under construction, DOT will impose a street and sidewalk construction embargo from Monday, November 18 to Thursday, January 2.

During this period of holiday activity, Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Weinshall are encouraging everyone to use mass transit when necessary.  Anyone seeking any additional information can call either (212) or (718) CALL-DOT.


 

www.nyc.gov

Contact: Ed Skyler / Jordan Barowitz 
(212) 788-2958
 
  Tom Cocola  ( DOT )
(212) 442-7033