GRIDLOCK SAM

FRI., NOV. 20 -SUN., NOV. 22 ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE IN EFFECT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

The Friday before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest get-away days of the season.

This year, travel is down significantly but traffic is not. While flying will be cut by half, and rail and bus travel by threequarters, car traffic will drop by only about 5%.

That’s because some of the former flyers, railroaders, and bus riders will be in cars.

And if yesterday’s rush hour is a predictor, it won't be pretty on the highways this afternoon.

Hot spots will start jamming around 3 p.m. including the Henry Hudson, FDR, LIE, Grand Central, GW Bridge, and CrossBronx. There’s also been an uptick in traffic on the Belt and Van Wyck by JFK as airlines have beefed up flights for the holiday.

Friday evening into Saturday morning, all eastbound lanes on Bruckner Blvd. will be closed between Edgewater Rd. and Elder Ave. from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

This weekend and the next, Saturday at 12:01 a.m. to Monday at 1 a.m., 6 trains run in two sections: first, between Brooklyn Bridge and 125th St. and then via the 4 to/from 149th St.-Grand Concourse and, second, between 125th St and Pelham Bay Park. Transfer at 125th St. to continue your trip.

Friday at 9:30 p.m. to Monday at 1 a.m., D trains run between Norwood-205th St. and 145th St. (skipping 135th St. uptown), via the C to/from W. 4th St. and via the F to/from Church Ave., the last stop. F trains replace the D between 47th-50th Streets and Stillwell Ave. The MTA has posted an excellent video on their YouTube channel (mtainfo) explaining why this odd-sounding swap is necessary. It’s an interesting watch for all riders, and I hope to see similar videos for future complicated service changes! MAILBAG Dear Readers,

It is with sadness I report the passing of Arthur Imperatore, founder and president of NY Waterway. I knew Arthur for many decades, and he was simultaneously ornery and lovable. He was quick-witted, fun to be around, and had little tolerance for BS. He built a great company and is legendary in the transportation community; he showed how the private sector could be a major player in offering high quality transit. If you want to see what great transit could be like, take a free NY Waterway bus to the Ferry Terminal at 39th St., see a spotless, brightly lit waiting area, and take an enjoyable 5-minute ride to Lincoln Harbor in Weehawken. I will miss him.

Gridlock Sam