GRIDLOCK SAM
Sun., Sep. 5-Sat., Sep. 11
SUNDAY PARKING RULES ARE IN EFFECT MONDAY, LABOR DAY. ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY FOR ROSH HASHANAH AND STORM OPERATIONS
Happy Labor Day! The weather is supposed to be pleasant on Monday, which means return traffic to the city should peak in the late afternoon and early evening. Expect slow going on the LIE, BQE, Whitestone, SI Expy., Major Deegan, Henry Hudson, and I-95.
The Richmond County Fair is on today, Sunday, and tomorrow, Monday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Historic Richmond Town. Watch for impacts to Richmond Rd., Clarke Ave., and Arthur Kill Rd. Today is also the last day of the Queens County Fair at the Queens County Farm Museum; from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. traffic may be slower along Little Neck Pkwy. near 74th Ave.
Rosh Hashanah begins Monday at sundown. Through Wednesday, expect extra activity in Borough Park, Williamsburg, and Crown Heights.
President Biden will tour storm damage in Queens on Tuesday.
At 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, a vigil will be held for the troops killed recently in Kabul, Afghanistan at the intersection of Grand Concourse and Fordham Rd.
On Wednesday at 11:45 a.m., a protest against cruelty towards crocodiles will be held at the Hermès store on Madison Ave. at 62nd St.
MAILBAG
Dear Gridlock Sam,
Why does NYCDOT leave a long period of time between road milling and paving? There are ways to do both one after the other. After repaving, there is another long delay before road lines are applied. Does the DOT take measures to reduce asphalt fumes? Ben
Dear Ben,
It’s about making the best use of limited equipment and staff. Since milling is a somewhat lengthier process, DOT has found it’s more efficient to mill several streets at the same time, and then pave. The pause between milling and paving also gives the utilities a chance to access subsurface lines easily, rather than having to cut into the newly-paved surface later.
Road lines are often not added immediately because the DOT is waiting for the right air and surface temperature to properly apply the paint.
As for fumes, DOT has worked with asphalt testing centers to develop a mix that doesn’t get as hot in warm weather, which helps reduce the smell. There are also alternatives to asphalt, though they haven’t been widely applied in NYC; in the wake of last week’s destructive flooding, expect to hear more discussion around permeable pavement materials that help reduce runoff.