GRIDLOCK SAM
ALTERNATE-SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED MONDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
SUMMONS ALERT DAY! Columbus Day on Monday is notoriously confusing for parking, so here’s what you need to know: ASP rules and School Parking rules by public schools and many private schools are suspended. All other rules, including meters, remain in effect.
Midtown alert! The Columbus Day Parade will close Fifth Ave. between E.
72nd and E 47th Sts., and 47th through
44th Sts. between Madison and Sixth Aves. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. Good news: with the exception of the parade, Monday’s holiday means traffic will be lighter than usual. Remember, the Manhattan-bound
Brooklyn Bridge will be closed until 6 a.m. Monday. Expect extra traffic on the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges and in the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel.
Madison Square Garden is buzzing with activity this week! The Rangers start the regular season at home against the Maple Leafs 7 p.m. Sunday, then they face the Islanders 7 p.m. Tuesday, and finish the week 7 p.m. Thursday against the Hurricanes. The Knicks take on the Raptors 7:30 p.m. Monday in preseason play. Expect fan traffic before and after each game on Seventh and Eighth Aves. between 31st and 34th Sts.
The Jets play the Broncos 1 p.m. Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Fan traffic will back up on the George Washington Bridge, and in the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels. From the mailbag: Dear Gridlock Sam,
In New York City there are various blocks with munimeter parking that require drivers to back into the parking spot instead of going in front first. Why am I seeing more of these and why are drivers required to back into these diagonal parking spaces? Is it safer?
Herbert, New York
Dear Herbert,
You’re seeing more of these backin/head-out angled parking spots because yes, they are safer than front-first spots. When you leave a back-in parking spot you have increased visibility of the active traffic lane, and you have a quicker entry into the traffic flow. They also improve safety for cyclists, eliminate the problem of parallel-parked cars opening doors into oncoming traffic and make loading and unloading the back of a car easier.
Gridlock Sam