The New York City Department of Transportation has designated 20 "Gridlock Alert Days" through the end of the year, when traffic congestion is expected to be at its worst. The first stretch is the five days from Monday, Sept. 21, to Friday, Sept. 25, during the UN General Assembly, when average vehicle speeds in Midtown will fall below 4 mph. The DOT advises using the subway, buses, commuter rail, ferries or bicycles instead of driving on those dates.
The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced 20 "Gridlock Alert Days" for the rest of the year, when traffic congestion is expected to be at its worst. The first stretch is the five days from Monday, Sept. 21, to Friday, Sept. 25, during the UN General Assembly. Extensive road closures and delays are expected throughout Manhattan during that period.
According to DOT data, average vehicle speeds in Midtown during UN General Assembly week are the slowest of the year. Speeds that normally run 4 to 6 mph fall below 4 mph during this period. DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said the downward trend in vehicles entering the city's core has continued over the 20 months since congestion pricing took effect, but urged people to choose a mode of travel other than driving during General Assembly week and on the other alert days.
The remaining 15 days are concentrated in the year-end shopping and tourism peak season: Nov. 18 and 19, Nov. 24 (ahead of Thanksgiving), Dec. 2–4, Dec. 8–11, Dec. 15–18, and Dec. 23. On alert days, electronic signs across the city will display expected-delay notices.
The DOT cited regional commuter rail, the subway and buses that run 24 hours a day, ferries, bicycles and walking as alternatives. In the First Avenue tunnel near UN headquarters, a bike lane separated by a Jersey barrier was made permanent in 2024 and will be available during the General Assembly. This year, the DOT completed improvements to the bike networks in NoHo, the East Village, Sixth Avenue and Union Square, along with construction of bus lanes on Madison and Lexington avenues.