NYC's plan to combat holiday traffic

Turn Restrictions

Turns will be prohibited during the day at selected locations to both improve traffic flow and minimize pedestrian/vehicular conflicts during the holiday season. Initial restrictions will be posted on 5th Avenue at 55th, 53rd, 51st and 47th Streets to ease congestion around Rockefeller Center.

Construction Embargo

A special construction embargo is in effect Friday, Nov. 20 from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. and from 6 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 23 through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010 for the 2009 Holiday Construction Embargo. There will be strict enforcement of this embargo and violators are subject to be summonsed. The locations and conditions of this embargo are available on our Web site at nyc.gov/dot.

Staten Island Ferry Holiday Service

Holiday service will be in effect on the Staten Island Ferry on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Holiday service is the same as Saturday service but with additional ferries from St. George Terminal on the half-hour from 7:30 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. and from Whitehall Terminal on the hour from 8:00 p.m. through 11:00 p.m.

MTA/New York City Transit Service Changes and Special Promotions

MTA/NYC Transit is implementing a series of bus stop changes and route diversions near Rockefeller Center during the holiday season to keep commuters moving. Subway diversions due to construction will also be reduced on Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 22-23. The MTA will also have special promotions available throughout the holiday season, including discounts when you present your MetroCard when purchasing tickets for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or the Big Apple Circus. For further information on MTA/NYC Transit service and promotions, go to www.mta.info. New Jersey Transit will also be offering special promotions at several attractions around the City. For further information visit www.njtransit.com.

Operation Safe Streets

The NYPD will focus on making this the safest holiday season ever, with the goal of reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities. Enforcement will be increased in midtown and in other key areas of the City and will focus on hazardous violations, such as: driving while intoxicated, speeding, disobeying traffic signals, improper turns, seatbelt violations etc. In addition, special focus will be given to the taxi population as well as delivery trucks to ensure that they are complying with all traffic laws. Increased activity will take place at tourist attractions, hotels, and other places where taxis frequently stop.

511NY

The New York State Department of Transportation last year launched 511 New York - a free telephone and Web service where New Yorkers can find traffic information and use a transit trip planner to organize trips to and from New York City spanning multiple service providers in the region. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week and New Yorkers can start using it by calling 511 or visiting www.511NY.org

To view the full Holiday Traffic Mitigation Plan visit www.nyc.gov/dot.

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