Alternate Side Parking regulations will be suspended May 17 and 28. Be aware that rules of metered parking, no stopping and no standing remain in effect on May 28.
President Obama will swoop into town to speak at the Barnard College commencement at 12:30 p.m. May 14. While details remain unconfirmed, it’s likely the president will helicopter from JFK or LaGuardia to Randall’s Island around 11:30 a.m. and cross the RFK-Triborough Bridge, freezing traffic in both directions around noon.
He’ll likely go west, taking 125th Street, which will freeze traffic in both directions as he travels toward Columbia’s campus. Expect major disruptions and extended closures on Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue between 125th and 110th streets during the ceremony.
Barring additional stops, he’ll likely reverse his route around 2:30 p.m., freezing 125th Street and the RFK-Triborough Bridge in both directions. The Queensboro Bridge and West Side Highway will be the safer options for drivers Monday. Stay up-to-date with the presidential gridlock at twitter.com/GridlockSam.
In non-POTUS news, the Falun Gong Parade will close Main Street in Flushing between Franklin Avenue and 40th Road, turn east onto Franklin Avenue to Kissena Boulevard and loop back up Kissena Boulevard to 40th Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 28.
May Day! Planned Occupy Wall Street actions for May 1 start with an 8 a.m. rally in Bryant Park. At 2 p.m., protesters will march down Broadway to a 4 p.m. Union Square rally and continue with a 5:30 p.m. Broadway march to Zuccotti Park.
The Five Borough Bike Tour rolls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 6. Astoria and LIC will be the hardest hit, with closures along the westbound lanes of the Queensboro Bridge, southbound Pulaski Bridge, 21st Street, Queens Plaza South, Hoyt Avenue, 19th Street, Ditmars and Shore boulevards, Astoria Park South, 14th Street, 31st Avenue, Vernon Boulevard, 44th Drive and 11th Street.
Memorial Day weekend means traffic jams starting Thursday, May 24. The Long Island Expressway will be frozen with cars heading east. The Marine Parkway and Cross Bay bridges will be jammed toward the Rockaways. Expect heavy delays on the Van Wyck near JFK and the GCP near La-Guardia. Consider mass transit. Safe travels!
Dear Queens Traffic Guru,
My daughter and I will ride in the Five Borough New York Bike Tour May 6. We hope to drive from Forest Hills to Staten Island early on the morning of the ride. Can we use the Verrazano Narrows Bridge if we leave early?
Kathy, New Hampshire
Dear Kathy,
According to our sources at the DOT, the upper level of the Verrazano Bridge will remain open with lanes going both ways throughout the bike tour. Good luck!
Queens’ Traffic Guru
Have questions on traffic, transit or a ticket you got? Want to know when Gridlock Alert Days are? Email the Queens Traffic Guru at TrafficGuruSS@qchron.net or write to Queens Traffic Guru, 611 Broadway, Suite 415, New York NY, 10012.
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