FAITH

Pope visit: 3 tips to avoid NYC traffic

Mike Davis
@byMikeDavis

NEW YORK Pope Francis’ historic visit to New York -- while eagerly anticipated -- is also likely to cause multiple road closures and traffic jams.

Unlike the pope's stay in Philadelphia, all of the New York events are ticketed – lessening the influx of people heading into the city to see him.

But the papal visit to New York comes with its own host of issues, especially with the United Nations General Assembly convening just for him.

Here are the three things to remember if you're planning on traveling to New York during the papal visit.

1. Don't drive.

Dozens of roads will be closed to all or partial traffic during the papal visit, resulting in detours and jammed streets as motorists try to navigate through the city.

On Friday, Pope Francis will lead a morning multifaith service at the 9-11 Memorial before visiting Our Lady Queen of Angels School in Harlem. In the afternoon, he will lead a crowd of 80,000 in a processional through Central Park. Later, he will lead a Mass at Madison Square Garden.

The following streets will be closed throughout the day:

  • Liberty Street (between Trinity Place and Greenwich Street)
  • Cedar Street (between Trinity Place and Greenwich Street)
  • West Street (northbound, between Battery Place and Murray Street)
  • 1st Avenue (from 42nd Street to 48th Street)
  • 31st Street (from 7th Avenue to 9th Avenue)
  • 33rd Street (from 7th Avenue to 9th Avenue)
  • 42nd Street (from FDR Drive to 2nd Avenue)
  • 43rd Street to 46th Street (from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue)
  • West 61st Street through West 66th Street (between Central Park West and Broadway)
  • West 67th Street through West 77th Street (between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue)
  • 71st Street and 72nd Street (between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue, closed until Saturday)
  • 112th Street (from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue)
  • 113th Street cul-de-sac

2. Take the train

Transportation officials are preaching the glories of mass transit to New York during the papal visit.

NJ Transit will operate additional services on Friday, especially during the evening hours when Pope Francis will be headlining events. Rail service will be adjusted to provide more seats during those hours.

"This will not be your average travel week," NJ Transit executive director Veronique Hakim said in a press conference last month. "If you don't have to be on our system between Thursday and Sunday, you may want to consider a staycation."

Ferry service is also an option: Generally less crowded – but more expensive – than the train, travelers can jump on a morning NY Waterway boat from Middletown or SeaStreak from Atlantic Highlands. Both companies also operate various Hudson River ferries from Hudson County.

3. Prepare for delays, congestion

Whether motorists are planning a papal event or simply trying to get to work, plan for exhaustive delays.

The road closures throughout Manhattan will lead to added delays at all of the Hudson River crossings, particularly the Holland and Lincoln tunnels.

Mike Davis: (732) 643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com