Sunday, May 16 – Saturday, May 22
ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOR SHAVUOT
The city that never sleeps is back! 24-hour subway service will return in the early morning hours of Monday.
We’ll see another big step towards reopening on Wednesday, when most remaining capacity restrictions, including on retail, bars, restaurants, gyms, salons, etc. will end. Broadway isn’t coming back until September, but otherwise I expect activity levels to climb much closer to normal in the coming weeks.
Monday and Tuesday mark the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. Expect extra activity in Orthodox neighborhoods, including Williamsburg and Borough Park. In Brooklyn, traffic may be slower on Bedford Ave., Lee Ave., and 13th Ave.
Tuesday, a rally with healthcare workers in support of the New York Health Act begins at Bellevue Park South at noon, which could affect 1st or 2nd Ave. at 26th St.
The city is lowering speed limits on 45 miles of major streets outside Manhattan in the coming weeks. The new rules will go into effect as signage is posted. Corridors affected include Pelham Pkwy. from White Plains Rd. to Stillwell Ave. in the Bronx, Woodhaven Blvd. from Queens Blvd. to Rockaway Blvd. in Queens, and Hylan Blvd. from Bay St. to Massachusetts St. on Staten Island.
MAILBAG
Dear Gridlock Sam,
What can be done to curb the obnoxious and illegal modified exhausts? Are cops even pulling anyone over for it? I’m tired of hearing gunshot-like exhausts, and it’s scaring children and pets.
Corey
Dear Corey,
It’s hard to hear anything over the out-of-control motorcycles and revved-up cars (yes, I know there are wonderful cyclists out there who obey the rules—not talking about you). I was on a call recently and the person asked if I lived near an airport. I absolutely believe there is a link between this type of behavior and traffic violence.
Is there a mayoral candidate who will pledge to clamp down on these drivers? Candidates, let Gridlock Sam readers know where you stand!
The Department of Environmental Protection has been partnering with the NYPD to enforce noise regulations over the past several weeks, which I hope will help. As a broader response, a bill by Sen. Gounardes pending in Albany (the SLEEP act, S784A) would specify a decibel limit and raise the max fine to $1000 (from $150). I’ve said before that traffic enforcement should not be solely or principally the domain of the NYPD; I’d like to see the eventual legislative solution encourage collaboration between the NYPD, DEP, DOT, and other relevant agencies.
Gridlock Sam
