Traffic News and Updates

Street Cleaning Suspensions

In observance of New Year's Day, alternate-side-of-the-street parking and meter regulations will be suspended across the five boroughs tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 1.

2009 Alternate Side Calendar Released

The New York City Department of Transportation has announced the release of its 2009 Alternate Side Parking Rules Suspension Calendar, which has been posted on its website at www.nyc.gov/dot/asprules. The calendar is available in both HTML and PDF documents.

As noted, the calendar lists 34 legal and religious holidays in 2009 when street cleaning rules will be suspended. Motorists are encouraged to download the calendar to their persoanl computer or PDA device from the DOT's website.

In addition to these holidays, the DOT may suspend street cleaning regulations from time to time due to snowy weather or other emergencies. More information is available on the website or by calling the city's 311 hotline, where printed calendars may also be obtained.

Including the aforementioned New Year's Day, alternate-side-ofthe street parking regulations will be suspended on the following days:

• Monday, Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day);

• Monday, Jan. 26 (Asian Lunar New Year);

• Thursday, Feb. 12 (Lincoln's Birthday);

• Monday, Feb. 16 (Presidents' Day/Washington's Birthday observance);

• Wednesday, Feb. 25 (Ash Wednesday);

• Tuesday, Mar. 10 (Purim);

• Thursday, Apr. 9 (Holy Thursday and the first day of Passover) and Friday, Apr. 10 (Good Friday and the second day of Passover);

• Thursday, Apr. 16 (seventh day of Passover and Orthodox Holy Thursday) and Friday, Apr. 17 (eighth day of Passover and Orthodox Good Friday);

• Thursday, May 21 (Solemnity of the Ascension);

• Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day—meter regulations also suspended);

• Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 (Shavuot);

• Friday, July 3 (Independence Day observance—meter regulations also suspended);

• Saturday, July 4 (Independence Day—meter regulations also suspended);

• Saturday, Aug. 15 (Feast of the Assumption);

• Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day— meter regulations also suspended);

• Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20 (Rosh Hashanah and first two days of Idul-Fitr);

• Monday, Sept. 21 (third day of Idul-Fitr);

• Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4 (Succoth);

• Saturday, Oct. 10 (Shemini Atzereth);

• Sunday, Oct. 11 (Simchas Torah);

• Monday, Oct. 12 (Columbus Day);

• Saturday, Oct. 17 (Diwali);

• Sunday, Nov. 1 (All Saints Day);

• Tuesday, Nov. 3 (Election Day);

• Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day);

• Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day/first day of Idul- Adha—meter regulations also suspended);

• Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 (second and third days of Idul-Adha);

• Tuesday, Dec. 8 (Immaculate Conception); and,

• Friday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day—meter regulations also suspended).

Road Work

Because of ongoing construction work at several locations throughout Queens and Brooklyn, the New York City Department of Transportation has announced numerous street closures in local neighborhoods for the upcoming week.

The announced diversions are current as of Tuesday, Dec. 30. The DOT may shut down other roads should the need for emergency repairs arise.

Streets and highways that are affected by closures during this week include the following:

Lanes Shut On Rockaway Brs.

One lane in each direction of the Marine Parkway/Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge may be closed on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. to facilitate MTA construction activity.

Additionally, one lane may be closed as needed along the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge northbound from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily; and southbound from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. One lane in each direction may be closed on the crossing during weekends as the MTA conducts long-term construction.

Lane Closures On Pkwy. Near Bridge

One of three lanes of the Grand Central Parkway near Steinway Street in Astoria may be closed weeknights, Monday through Friday, from 10 p.m. until midnight. Additionally, two of three lanes may be closed in each direction late nights, Monday through Friday, from 12:01 a.m. until 5 a.m.

Road Work Ties Up BQE In Bklyn, Qns.

The DOT has reported scheduled lane closures along sections of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in both boroughs.

In Queens, the entrance ramp to the expressway from Broadway and 37th Road remains shut down as the DOT reconstructs the ramp. Motorists are advised to use 69th Street and follow detour signage in order to access the highway.

Additionally, one lane of the BQE in each direction is scheduled to be closed between Broadway and 61st Street during weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. In addition, two of three lanes in each direction are also set to be closed during weeknights from 12:01 a.m to 5 a.m.

In Brooklyn, the expressway will also have one of three lanes in each direction shut down in each direction between Sands Street and Flushing Avenue on Tuesdays through Fridays from 12:01 a.m. to 1 a.m. Two of the three lanes, either east or westbound, are scheduled to be closed in the same section Tuesdays through Fridays between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Lane Closures Both Ways On Boulevard

Lanes on Astoria Boulevard North and South between 37th and 41st streets are scheduled to be shut down during off-peak hours. The DOT noted that two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction while construction work is performed.

For additional closures, visit the city DOT's website at www.nyc.gov/dot or call 311.