City Institutes First Of Nine Holiday Gridlock Alert Days
November 16, 2007
City transportation officials are urged New Yorkers to use mass transit to get around town Friday ? the first of nine holiday gridlock alert days in the city. NY1’s Dean Meminger filed the following report.
It’s that time of year ? holiday lights, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, shopping and lots and lots of traffic.
?Oh man, traffic is hectic man,? said a driver. ?I can’t even get to do my deliveries. It’s really hell.?
“Aw, this is unbelievable. I come from Westchester, and it sucks,? added another.
Friday marked the first of nine holiday gridlock alert days, as the city tries to slam the brakes on traffic headaches. More police officers and traffic agents are supposed to hit the streets attempting to keep cars, buses, trucks and pedestrians moving along.
The DOT says it’s going to pay special attention to taxis and delivery trucks, to make sure they are not clogging up the streets.
?[Drivers should] stop double parking,? said a driver.
“The traffic is really bad now, and the mayor should do something about it,? added another.
The city says it is stepping up enforcement, ticketing and towing vehicles. Don’t double park, block the box, or be an overly aggressive driver cutting in and out of traffic, officials warn.
Drivers are urged to take mass transit and leave their vehicles at home.
The city is trying out red-tinted bus lanes on 57th Street in Manhattan and Fordham Road in the Bronx to see how well they keep out unauthorized drivers.
There are nine gridlock alert days in all. The next one is next Wednesday the 21st, followed by November 28th, December 7th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, and 21st.
For additional holiday travel information, log on to www.nyc.gov or www.mta.info.








