What to know as NYC Gridlock Alert Days start for 2024

NEW YORK — New York City’s Gridlock Alert Days are here for the 2024 season, as the United Nations General Assembly enters its high-level week on Manhattan’s East Side.
Security is also ramped up around the city, with President Joe Biden speaking Tuesday and more than 140 world leaders in town throughout the week. The president’s speech focused heavily on foreign policy, addressing the growing tension in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. 
“My fellow leaders, I truly believe we’re at another inflection point in world history,” he said. “Where the choices we make today will determine the future for decades to come.”
The city’s Department of Transportation identified 20 days when traffic is expected to be at its worst. They include the U.N. General Assembly high-level week from Sept. 23 through Sept. 27, as well as the holiday tourism season. 
During these days, transportation officials encourage New Yorkers to use mass transit, as much as possible. 
“We strongly encourage New Yorkers and those in the region to travel by transit every day of the year-but it’s especially important during Gridlock Alert days,” NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement. “The UN General Assembly is a great event each year the city is proud to host, but New Yorkers should do their part in minimizing congestion and seeking alternative modes of transportation.”
Data shows the average speed in Midtown drops to less than 4 miles per hour during the General Assembly week, compared to normal averages between 4 and 6 miles per hour.
Making even more of a mess, crews had to clean up a fuel spill Monday on the Upper East Side. The FDNY responded around 8:30 a.m. to a spill involving approximately 100 gallons at East 67th Street between Lexington and 3rd avenues. The nearby 19th Precinct was temporarily evacuated, but it did not impact 911 calls in the area.
The U.N. General Assembly started Tuesday, Sept. 10 and lasts until Monday, Sept. 30, with the High-Level Debate taking place from Sept. 24 through 28. 
Drivers should expect delays along 1st Avenue between 34th and 63rd streets, as well as the FDR Drive.
The NYPD says 57th and 42nd streets will be limited to one lane in either direction from 2nd to 5th avenues, and 1st Ave will be what’s considered a “frozen zone” from 40th to 49th streets. 
The following street closures are in effect until Sept. 29.
Once UNGA is over, gridlock alert days return ahead of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. They stick around throughout December, when throngs of tourists will descend on the city for the iconic holiday lights and shopping. 
Here’s the full list of gridlock alert dates for the rest of the year.
In years past, the city has also set up a car-free zone around Rockefeller Center during the busy holiday period.