Midtown gridlock season looms as NYC DOT flags 20 traffic days through year-end
NYC traffic is set to slow to a crawl around Midtown during the UN General Assembly, with the DOT designating 20 “gridlock days” through year-end as protests and security measures intensify. Expect heavy police presence and street closures; Midtown could see speeds under 4 mph, prompting alerts via message boards and a push to use transit, biking, or walking. The First Avenue Tunnel bike lane, opened in 2024, offers a barrier-protected route that helps bypass busy intersections. Gridlock days run Sept. 21–25, Nov. 18–19, Nov. 24, and Dec. 2–23.