Press Releases

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2022
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov

Gridlock Alert: DOT Reminds Tri-State Region to Take Transit and Leave Their Cars at Home

Upcoming Gridlock Alert Days include Friday, December 9; Tuesday, December 13; Wednesday, December 14; and Thursday, December 15

DOT also encourages drivers to take mass transit, walk, or bike this weekend—especially if planning a visit to the newest Holiday Open Street along Fifth Avenue in Midtown on Sunday, December 11

NEW YORK – DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today reminded New Yorkers and visitors from across the Tri-State region to take transit and leave their cars at home for upcoming Gridlock Alert Days as well as this weekend, when additional streets will be pedestrianized for the holiday in Midtown Manhattan around Rockefeller Center.

"Sustainable transit options are always the best choice to get around New York City—for the health and safety of your fellow New Yorkers and to save you time otherwise stuck in traffic," said Commissioner Rodriguez. "We encourage everyone to take transit, bike, or walk during upcoming Gridlock Alert Days. We also especially urge out-of-town visitors to use buses and trains for the easiest access to New York City's amazing holiday Open Streets this coming weekend. For New Yorkers and visitors alike, families should experience the joy of this holiday season on our pedestrianized streets on Fifth Avenue and around Rockefeller Center."

Gridlock Alert Days: For 2022, DOT had identified 19 Gridlock Alert Days with the majority during the December holiday season – days when traffic is expected to be at its slowest and most congested. Variable Message System (VMS) boards have been placed around New York City to warn of expected delays. The remaining Gridlock Alert days this year are:

  • Friday, December 9, 2022
  • Tuesday, December 13, 2022
  • Wednesday, December 14, 2022
  • Thursday, December 15, 2022

Fifth Avenue: On Sunday, December 11 and 18, from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM, Fifth Avenue from 48th Street to 57th Street will only be open to pedestrians. In addition, throughout the entire holiday season, moveable barriers will be placed on the east and west sides of Fifth Avenue, between 48th Street and 52nd Street. On days the street is not designated an Open Street, beginning in the early afternoon on weekdays and in the morning on weekends, these barriers will be used to repurpose a lane of traffic on each side of the avenue as additional pedestrian space. To accommodate high pedestrian traffic, westbound vehicle right turns will be prohibited from Fifth Avenue onto 47th Street, 49th Street, or 51st Street.

Rockefeller Center: For the entire holiday season from now through early to mid-January, the city has pedestrianized the streets surrounding Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall nearest the Christmas tree, using movable barriers to partially or fully close streets to cars and alleviate foot traffic along sidewalks. With the support of Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and New York City Councilmember Keith Powers, West 49th Street and West 50th Street, between Fifth Avenue and Sixth Avenue will only be open to pedestrians during the most congested hours, between 11:00 AM and 12:00 AM midnight every day. The NYPD will help ensure that vehicle traffic does not enter those streets.

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