Summary & Quick Facts
- The annual General Assembly of the United Nations runs now through Oct. 5.
- There will be various street closures on the East Side to accommodate travel around the United Nations headquarters.
- Vehicular traffic and parking will not be permitted on these streets at all.
- The city encourages the use of public transportation for the duration of the General Assembly
The UN General Assembly Is Back
It’s that time of year again New Yorkers, representatives of nations around the world are meeting at the United Nations in Midtown this week. All the increased diplomatic activity in the city means potential traffic headaches for many Manhattan drivers. The annual General Assembly of the United Nations runs now through Oct. 5.
As diplomats and dignitaries from around the world converge on the city, there will be various street closures on the East Side to accommodate travel around the United Nations headquarters. The street closures are part of a massive security operation to help protect the area while world’s leaders in town. Thousands of officers, both in uniform and plainclothes, will patrol and cordon off the area by a slew of security measures. They include hundreds of “blocker” vehicles along cordoned-off streets, among them 48 massive Department of Sanitation trucks, and 230 concrete roadblocks.
How Will Street Closures Affect Driving in Manhattan?
The UN building is located at First Avenue and 42nd Street, 405 E. 42nd St. With the city announcing the street closures, vehicular traffic and parking will not be permitted on these streets at all. Motorists caught driving or parking in areas affected by the street closures, will face the tow as well as potential parking violations.
According to the NYC DOT, “increased traffic volume and UN Assembly related street closures have a profound effect on the movement of vehicles in Midtown.” The department’s Traffic Operations Division even concluded that the week of the UN General Debate includes the “most significant driving delays.” You may be asking yourself, how much worse can New York City traffic really get? City officials say during the UN General Assembly drivers can expect to see Midtown travel times up to three times longer than usual for that weekday. Nevertheless, the city encourages the use of public transportation for the duration of the General Assembly. Each day may feel like a new and confusing puzzle for drivers in Manhattan. But don’t fret, here is your cheat sheet for avoiding the traffic nightmare, broken down by each day of the General Assembly.
Wednesday Street Closures
These streets will remain closed for the day:
- First Avenue from 42nd to 48th streets (the tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48th Street will remain open to passenger cars only)
- 44th Street from First to Second avenues
- 45th Street from First to Second avenues
- 46th Street from First to Second avenues
One traffic lane on the following streets will be dedicated to emergency vehicles for the duration of the General Assembly:
- 42nd Street from First to Fifth avenues
- 57th Street from Second to Fifth avenues
- Second Avenue from 41st to 57th streets
These streets will be closed between 5 a.m. and about 9 p.m.
- 42nd Street from FDR Drive to Second Avenue
- 42nd Street exit and entrance ramps for FDR Drive
The NYPD will manage access to the following streets and vehicle parking will not be permitted:
- Battery Place from Little West Street to Second Place
- First Place from Battery Place to Little West Street
- Little West Street from Battery Place to Second Place
- 51st Street from Lexington to Park avenues
- 50th Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 51st Street from Lexington to Park avenues
- 51st Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 55th Street from Madison to Fifth avenues
- 55th Street from Fifth to Sixth avenues
- 56th Street from Fifth to Sixth avenues
- 58th Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 58th Street from Plaza to Sixth Avenue
- Lexington to Park avenues on 61st street
- Park to Madison avenues on 61st street
- Madison to Fifth avenues on 61st street
Thursday Street Closures
These streets will remain closed for the day:
- First Avenue from 42nd to 48th streets (the tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48 Street will remain open to passenger cars only)
- 44th Street from First to Second avenues
- 45th Street from First to Second avenues
- 46th Street from First to Second avenues
One traffic lane on the following streets will be dedicated to emergency vehicles for the duration of the General Assembly:
- 42nd Street from First to Fifth avenues
- 57th Street from Second to Fifth avenues
- Second Avenue from 41st to 57th streets
These streets will be closed between 5 a.m. and about 9 p.m.
- 42nd Street from FDR Drive to Second Avenue
- 42nd Street exit and entrance ramps for FDR Drive
FDR Drive will be subject to intermittent closures:
- Southbound at 63rd Street
- Northbound at South Ferry
The NYPD will manage access to the following streets and vehicle parking will not be permitted:
- Battery Place from Little West Street to Second Place
- First Place from Battery Place to Little West Street
- Little West Street from Battery Place to Second Place
- 50th Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 51st Street from Lexington to Park avenues
- 51st Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 55th Street from Madison to Fifth avenues
- 55th Street from Fifth to Sixth avenues
- 56th Street from Fifth to Sixth avenues
- 58th Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 58th Street from Plaza to Sixth Avenue
- Lexington to Park avenues on 61st street
- Park to Madison avenues on 61st street
- Madison to Fifth avenues on 61st street
Friday Street Closures
These streets will remain closed for the day:
- First Avenue from 42nd to 48th streets (the tunnel underpass from 41st Street to 48th Street will remain open to passenger cars only)
- 44th Street from First to Second avenues
- 45th Street from First to Second avenues
- 46th Street from First to Second avenues
One traffic lane on the following streets will be dedicated to emergency vehicles for the duration of the General Assembly:
- 42nd Street from First to Fifth avenues
- 57th Street from Second to Fifth avenues
- Second Avenue from 41st to 57th streets
These streets will be closed between 5 a.m. and about 9 p.m.
- 42nd Street from FDR Drive to Second Avenue
- 42nd Street exit and entrance ramps for FDR Drive
The NYPD will manage access to the following streets and vehicle parking is not permitted:
- Battery Place from Little West Street to Second Place
- First Place from Battery Place to Little West Street
- Little West Street from Battery Place to Second Place
- 50th Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 51st Street from Lexington to Park avenues
- 51st Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 55th Street from Madison to Fifth avenues
- 55th Street from Fifth to Sixth avenues
- 56th Street from Fifth to Sixth avenues
- 58th Street from Park to Madison avenues
- 58th Street from Plaza to Sixth Avenue
- Lexington to Park avenues on 61st street
- Park to Madison avenues on 61st street
- Madison to Fifth avenues on 61st street
How do these street closures affefct your travel? Let us know in the comments below!