FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PR- 378-03 December 30, 2003 MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCE CITY'S PLANS FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION IN TIMES SQUARE Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today outlined the City's plans to host the annual New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. The Mayor announced the street closings in the Times Square area and gave important tips for attending the festivities, which will culminate with the lowering of the New Year's Eve Ball at the stroke of midnight. The Mayor invited people to join the celebration and urged them to celebrate New Year's Eve safely and responsibly. "On New Year's Eve, the eyes of the world are focused on New York City when the ball drops in Times Square," Mayor Bloomberg said. "The NYPD is world-renowned for providing security at large events and those attending the celebration at Times Square can rest assured that they will be able to enjoy a safe, one-of-a-kind experience on one of the most magical nights that our New York has to offer. Also, everyone should be aware of the traffic restrictions, use public transportation, dress warmly and celebrate responsibly. I would like to wish every New Yorker a happy and healthy 2004." By approximately 4:00 p.m. tomorrow, Times Square will be closed to vehicle traffic. Attendees will be directed by police officers to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, people will be directed to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill Times Square along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to as far as Central Park. People will not be permitted to return to their area if they leave. In addition:
At approximately 4:00 p.m. the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:
After 5:00 p.m. the remainder of the traffic closures will be instituted as crowd conditions warrant:
People are advised to use public transportation. In the event that they must bring a vehicle into Manhattan, on street parking will be extremely limited in the Midtown area. People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. Suggested alternatives for cross-town traffic include 23rd Street and the Central Park Transverse Roads at 65th and 66th Streets. General information is available by calling (212) 768-1560 or by visiting the Times Square Visitors Center located on Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets, which is open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. MEDIA CONTACT: Edward Skyler/Robert Lawson (212) 788-2958 GENERAL CONTACT: Michael O’Looney (NYPD) (646) 610-6700 |
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