New York City’s traffic jam alert days begin today for 2024 as UN General Assembly enters high-level week

NEW YORK — New York City’s lockdown alert days begin Monday for the 2024 season, as UN General Assembly begins week of high-level meetings on the East Side of Manhattan.

Safety is also has intensified around the citywith President Joe Biden and more than 140 world leaders in town throughout the week.

To make traffic even more complicated, crews responded to a fuel spill on the Upper East Side at East 67th Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue. The FDNY said it received a call around 8:30 a.m. for a spill involving about 100 gallons of fuel.

CBS News New York has learned that the nearby 19th Precinct police station was evacuated, but the leak did not impact 911 calls in the area. Firefighters and EMS personnel were hosing down the scene and checking for injuries.

New York City announces lockdown alert days for 2024

The city’s transportation department has identified 20 days when traffic is expected to be at its peak. These include the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly, from September 23 to 27, as well as the holiday tourist season.

These days, transportation officials are encouraging New Yorkers to use public transportation whenever possible.

“We strongly encourage New Yorkers and residents to use public transit every day of the year, but it is especially important during the Blockade Alert days,” NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement. “The United Nations General Assembly is a major event that the City is proud to host each year, but New Yorkers should do their part to minimize congestion and seek alternative modes of transportation.”

Data shows that average speeds in Midtown drop to less than 4 miles per hour during the week of the General Assembly, compared to normal averages of between 4 and 6 miles per hour.

Map shows street closures at UN General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly started on Tuesday September 10 and will last until Monday, September 30, with the high-level debate taking place from September 24 to 28.

Drivers should expect delays along 1st Avenue between 34th and 63rd streets, as well as on FDR Drive.

NYPD says 57th and 42nd streets will be limited to one lane in each direction from 2nd to 5th Avenue, and 1st Avenue will be what is considered a “frozen zone” from 40th to 49th Street.

The following street closures are in effect until September 29.

• FDR Drive between Whitehall Street and 42nd Street
• Area bounded by East 86th Street on the north, East 80th Street on the south, Park Avenue on the east and 5th Avenue on the west; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 60th Street on the north, 34th Street on the south, 1st Avenue on the east and 3rd Avenue on the west; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 57th Street on the north, 45th Street on the south, 3rd Avenue on the east and Madison Avenue on the west; All inclusive
• Area bounded by 58th Street on the north, 49th Street on the south, Madison Avenue on the east and 6th Avenue/Avenue of the Americas on the west; All inclusive
• Area bounded by West 47th Street on the north, West 44th Street on the south, 7th Avenue on the east and 8th Avenue on the west; All inclusive
• Grand Army Plaza between 58th and 60th Streets
• Grand Army Plaza between East Drive and 5th Avenue
• 8th Avenue between West 49th Street and West 44th Street
• 6th Avenue between West 59th Street and West 46th Street
• 5th Avenue between East 63rd Street and East 49th Street
• Madison Avenue between East 58th Street and East 42nd Street
• Vanderbilt Avenue between East 47th Street and East 42nd Street
• Park Avenue between East 62nd Street and East 45th Street
• Lexington Avenue between East 57th Street and East 42nd Street
• East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 62nd Street East between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 61st Street East between 5th Avenue and Lexington Avenue
• 59th Street West between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 58th Street West/East between Broadway and 6th Avenue/Avenue of the Americas
• 57th Street West/East between 7th Avenue and Dead End/FDR Drive
• 56th Street West between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 55th Street West between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 54th Street West between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 53rd Street West/East between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
• 52nd Street West between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 51st Street West between 7th Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 50th Street West/East between 7th Avenue and Dead End/FDR Drive
• 49th Street West/East between 8th Avenue and FDR Drive Service Road
• FDR Drive service road between East 48th Street and East 49th Street
• East 48th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive service road
• West 46th Street between 8th Avenue and 6th Avenue / Avenue of the Americas
• 42nd Street West/East between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive
• 34th Street West/East between 7th Avenue and FDR Drive

Traffic jam alert in New York during holiday tourist season

Once the UN General Assembly ends, the blockage alert days return before the end of the General Assembly. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. They stay throughout the month of December, when Crowds of tourists will descend on the city for iconic Christmas lights and shopping.

Here is the full list of blocking alert dates for the rest of the year.

• Wednesday, November 20
• Thursday, November 21
• Friday November 22
• Tuesday November 26
• Tuesday December 3rd
• Wednesday December 4th
• Thursday December 5th
• Friday December 6th
• Tuesday December 10
• Wednesday December 11
• Thursday December 12
• Friday December 13th
• Tuesday December 17
• Wednesday December 18
• Thursday December 19

In recent years, the city has also implemented a car-free zone around Rockefeller Center during the holiday season.