GRIDLOCK SAM

Sun. Oct. 10th-Sat. Oct. 16th

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED MONDAY, COLUMBUS DAY SUMMONS ALERT!

Monday is Columbus Day (per DOT’s calendar; many jurisdictions observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October, including NYC public schools), and while lots of people have the day off, it is NOT a major parking holiday. That means that while ASP is suspended, meters and other rules are not. Follow the signs and don’t get yourself a ticket!

The annual parade will take place along 5th Ave. from 72nd St. to 42nd St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.

The Columbus Day Festival takes place Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Broadway between Liberty St. and Battery Pl.

On Tuesday, the 2nd Annual Healthy Lifestyle Day/Religious Foods Festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Unionport Rd. between McGraw Ave. and Westchester Ave.

Basketball is back! There’ll be two preseason games this week. Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., the Knicks host the Pistons at MSG. At Barclays on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., the Timberwolves take on the Nets.

Hockey has also returned. The Rangers will play their first regular-season home game against the Stars on Thursday at 7 p.m.

MAILBAG

Dear Gridlock Sam,

Many years ago, I asked then-DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan if the reduction in cars caused by congestion pricing would result in more speeding. She said no, and pointed out that congestion pricing would allow for added space for buses, bikes, and pedestrians, which would discourage speeding.

What’s your take in light of the pandemic spike in crashes? I’m worried what will happen if pricing is implemented without big changes to our roads.

Dear David,

We now have more than a dozen examples of congestion pricing in cities around the world (none in the U.S.; NYC will be first) and all report roughly the same impact. About 80-85% of people don’t change their driving habits; they pay the fee. I expect something similar in NYC, where we have had a form of congestion pricing for nearly a century across the Hudson River; everybody from NJ must pay a hefty toll (more during peak hours).

While a 15-20% reduction in traffic is significant, it won’t result in relatively empty roads and increased speeding. London and other cities took advantage of the traffic reduction and added more space for pedestrians, buses and bikes. That’s why London speeds today are about what they were pre-congestion charging but with fewer vehicles—a winning formula! Gridlock Sam