It’s quite literally impossible to avoid traffic delays in NYC (especially considering it’s the worst city for driving to begin with and is the most congested city in the world) and unfortunately there’s no light at the end of the tunnel here–that’s according to the list of Gridlock Alert Days recently released by the NYC DOT.
The first batch of Gridlock Days began the last week of September with the UN General Assembly, which took place September 23rd through September 27th, though we now have a few weeks until we have to worry about the next ones. During Gridlock Days NYC DOT strongly encourages drivers to instead use alternate modes of transportation, such as regional rail lines, the subway and bus system, ferries (which now have new travel guides that bring sightseeing to a whole new level), cycling, and walking.
NYC DOT has identified 15 Gridlock Alert Days through the end of the year, right when tourist levels rise and holiday activities start to kick in around the city. On the bright side, we’ll at least have a month off of worrying about gridlock delays during October, perfect for ensuring we have all the time in the world to make it to all those spooky NYC events.
The 2024 Gridlock Alert Days are as follows:
- Wednesday, November 20
- Thursday, November 21
- Friday, November 22
- Tuesday, November 26
- Tuesday, December 3
- Wednesday, December 4
- Thursday, December 5
- Friday, December 6
- Tuesday, December 10
- Wednesday, December 11
- Thursday, December 12
- Friday, December 13
- Tuesday, December 17
- Wednesday, December 18
- Thursday, December 19
NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stated:
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…New Yorkers should do their part in minimizing congestion and seeking alternative modes of transportation.
Variable Message System boards are posted around New York City warning drivers of expected delays. More information is posted on NYC DOT’s website.