GRIDLOCK SAM
Sun. Aug. 29 - Sat. Sept. 4
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE IN EFFECT ALL WEEK
Expect giant traffic jams on Hudson River crossings as the Giants host the Patriots at 6 p.m. today, Sunday, with much heavier traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel and GWB Jersey-bound starting at 4 p.m.
The US Tennis Open will kick-off in Flushing Meadows Park on Monday at 11 a.m. The big event will continue through September 12th, impacting the Long Island Expy., Grand Central Pkwy., and Van Wyck Expy.
Expect changes on the BQE in both directions from Hamilton Ave. to the Manhattan Bridge as DOT takes measures to protect the structure and user safety. The expressway will be reduced from 3 lanes to 2 in both directions between Atlantic Ave. and the Brooklyn Bridge starting Monday to reduce weight on the structure and extend its lifespan. Much-improved entrance ramps from Atlantic Avenue both ways will reduce crash probability significantly. Truckers beware! The NYPD will be stepping up their weight enforcement of oversized vehicles on the expressway. Expect significant delays; northbound drivers to Manhattan will find the Battery Tunnel a far better alternative. Southbound drivers should consider taking the Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan over the Manhattan or Brooklyn bridges until things settle down. Transit, of course, is the best option for some.
The Marlins will be swimming north to face the Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7 p.m.
MAILBAG
Dear Gridlock Sam,
During Tropical Storm Henri, I noticed clogged storm drains were contributing to the flooding. Can anything be done about this issue?
Dear J,
I spoke with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, the agency responsible for the ~153,000 catch basins on city roadways; thousands more are located on highways, private property, in parks. etc. DEP tries to prevent flooding by funding Sanitation’s street sweeping and regularly inspecting basins across the city. When the City’s Flash Flood Emergency Plan is activated, DEP crews check catch basins at flood-prone locations to ensure they are working properly.
Want to take personal steps to promote a more flood-resilient neighborhood? Ask not what your city can do for you, but what you can do for your city. DEP is involved in several efforts to encourage volunteers to monitor their local catch basins. You may be interested in signing up to be a Harbor Protector; these environmental stewards care for drains, rain gardens, and the shoreline to help keep our waters clean. If you spot a clogged basin, you can and should report it to 311.