Ines Rosales's Blog

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone.  And of course have a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year! 

Thank you for making us a part of your morning and part of your family.  And thank you to those have posted holiday wishes already on my other blog.

From: Your Traffic Authority 

It's that time of the year again.  The streets are decorated with beautiful lights and the stores are busy with holiday shoppers looking for their treasures.  And the traffic...well, that's a different story.  New York City is extra busy starting the Friday before Thanksgiving through Christmas.  The streets are packed with people doing their holiday shopping and checking out the beautiful sights.  I'm one of them!  And of course you have more vehicles on the road.  Aside from regular cars, there are extra delivery trucks, too.   To help ease the congestion, New Yorkers and tourists are urged to used mass transit.

2008 GRIDLOCK ALERT DAYS: 

Friday, November 21                   Friday, November 26                Wednesday, December 3

Friday, December 5                     Thursday, December 11          Friday, December 12

Wednesday, December 17        Thursday, December  18         Friday, December 19

MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE STREET CLOSURES

Halloween is a fun holiday for all, but we should keep safety in mind as we go out and have fun. AAA New York encourage advance planning to keep Friday-Night Halloween Bashes from turning into crashes. Usually when a holiday falls on a weekend there is a sharp rise in traffic fatalaties. Robert Sinclair Jr., manager, media relations with AAA New York says, "when Halloween falls during the middle of the work week, parties and events are spread out over several days to include the weekend. With Halloween on a Friday this year, most festivites are expect to take place that evening putting a large number of adult partygoers on the road the same night as trick-or-treaters. " Two out of three adults ages 18 to 24 plan to throw or attend a Halloween party this year, according to the National Retail Federation, and 93 percent of children are expected to go trick-or-treating reports the National Confectioners Association. "Unfortunately we aslo see a sharp rise in the number of motor vehicle fatalities on Halloween when it is on a weekend, so it's critical for both motorists and pedestraian to take extra caustion and make sure this is a safe and happy Halloween for everyone," said Sinclair. The number of motor vehical fatalities on Halloween rises an average of 40 percent to 382 deaths when October 21 is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, compared to other days fo the week, according to date from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA).

Partygoers & Hosts

· Make plans to get home safely. If intending to consume alcohol, make plans to get home safely by selecting a designated driver or ensuring cab service is available from the party location.

· Consider an overnight stay. If attending a party at a friend’s home, consider asking to stay overnight. If participating in festivities in a downtown or commercial area, look into hotel accommodations within walking distance. Many hotels offer special Halloween weekend rates and promotions.

· Have safe transportation options ready. If hosting a party with alcohol, compile a list of phone numbers including local cab companies and organizations offering designated driver services to have readily available should guests need a safe way home.

· Plan your travel route carefully. Try to avoid cutting through residential areas that will likely have a large number of trick-or-treaters. If providing directions to a party, make sure to not route guests through residential areas unnecessarily.

· Take care of designated drivers and offer alternatives to alcohol. Plan to have non-alcoholic drink options available for designated drivers and others. Serve plenty of food so partygoers do not drink on empty stomachs.

Trick-or-Treaters & Parents

· Select highly visible costumes. Look for light, bright and reflective costumes that make trick-or-treaters easy to see. Add reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets and bags to increase visibility.

· Ensure costumes fit well. Have trick-or-treaters try on, walk and play in costumes and shoes in advance to check fit. Make sure nothing comes loose or might cause the child to trip. Check that wigs or other accessories do not obstruct the child’s view.

· Review safety precautions with children. Include traffic safety rules in the review such as stay on the sidewalk, cross the street at crosswalks, avoid walking in front of, behind or between parked cars and stop at driveways to make sure no vehicles are coming in and out.

· Plan trick-or-treating route and supervision in advance. Avoid areas with heavy vehicle traffic and look for well-lit streets with sidewalks. Make arrangements for an adult or a responsible teen to accompany younger trick-or-treaters.

· Get a flashlight with fresh batteries. A flashlight can help trick-or-treaters see and be seen, but it should never be directed at someone’s eyes including those of passing motorists.

AAA offers an in-depth list of Halloween safety tips for motorists, parents and kids online at AAA.com/PublicAffairs.

HAVE A HAPPY SAFE HALLOWEEN!!!

Expect Delays and Intermittent closures in the area of the United Nation for the UN General Assembly starting at Midnight, Tuesday, Sept 16 through October 3.

The streets affected are: 

East 34th St to East 57th St from 1st Ave and 2nd Ave
42nd, 50th St from FDR and 6th Ave
43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, and 47th Streets from 1st to 3rd Avenue
45th, 46th Streets from Madison Avenue to Vanderbilt Ave
48th, 49th, 51st Streets from Madison Avenue to 1st Avenue
48th, 49th, 50th, 51st Street from Lexington Avenue to Madison Ave
52nd 53rd from 6th Avenue to 7th Avenue
Battery Place from West Street to 3rd Place
1st Place from Little West Street to West Circle Cove
2nd Place from Little West Street to Battery Place
Little West Street from Battery Place to 2nd Place
West Thames Street from Battery Place to South End Avenue

Summer is almost over! The hot weather is not the only thing ending.  The easy commute to work is almost over too!!!  In a few weeks everyone will be going back to school and no more vacations.  Get ready!  Now with gas prices going down does that mean that people will be driving more again, and use mass transit less???  We shall wait and see.

Thanks to the Bloggers who keep posting blogs for me.  I'm such a bad blogger, yes I am like that with e-mails and phone calls.  To answer some of those posts. 

Scott1: I saw that BobbyHBK answered you on me needing a bodyguard.  Thanks Bobby.  Fortunately, I'm not one of those people that needs protection.  But I do like the Limo idea!!! 

Bob: I did go see Bon Jovi in Central Park.  Their performance was good, I've seen him 3 times now.  But there wasn't much energy from the crowd.  I think being out there for hours under the hot sun fizzled them out.  I loved him at Giants Stadium, so I'd want to see him there again.  I don't use the press pass for those perks to be honest with you.  I just don't think about it.  But I'm sure that something like Bon Jovi it wouldn't of worked.  I'm glad I was able to help you with your work with my little moment with my cell phone.  I'm so silly, trying to control my maps with my cell phone.  It feels good to help people, so I won't be asking for a fee.  You do have a lot of remotes!  There has to be an easier way, and I don't mean the universal ones.  I don't like them.  Hope I can help again!!

Jay: I didn't see your question before, you can blog with me right here. 

So, what are we doing for Memorial Day weekend???  That's what I want to know.  Studies show that fewer people are traveling the roads as gas prices go up and the economy slides.   Does this apply to the tri-state?  Tell me what your plans are... don't be shy!!!  I promise I won't crash your party.

The Pope is in New York City through Sunday.  

Expect a lot  of closures in the area.  

Watch the video I put together on the papal gridlock... and check out the links below for more details on closures and mass transit changes:

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS ON STREET CLOSURES

CLICK HERE FOR MASS TRANSIT CHANGES

Welcome to NYC  Soccer Guy!!  Where are you living? 

Wow has it been 2 months, time goes by fast.  I'm glad we can make you laugh so early in the morning. 

I went to see 21 this weekend?  Anyone see it?  Opinions?  I liked it.  The History channel has done a show on it so I already knew a little about it.  Though I wonder if they changed the story a bit for entertainment purposes. 

Ladies out there I need some help.  Looking for spring clothes, and I was at the Willowbrook and Garden State Mall and found nothing.  I bought sneakers, but clothing wise nothing to appealing.  Is it just me or is everything out right now not that appealing?? 

Whether you are attending the Parade in NY or the Rally in NJ here's what you need to know!

Metro North in and out of Grand Central on the Harlem and Hudson line at 8:30am

NJ Transit run extra trains in the late morning. Customers are advised to transfer on to Path at Newark or Hoboken.

Path Trains extra service 9:30am to 3:30 pm

Subways: Expect Delays on the 4, 5, and 6 lines at the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station. Use the 1, R, and W to Rector St. E to the World Trade. J to Broad St. 2, 3, A and C to Chambers St and 2 and 3 to Wall St as Alternates.

Buses: Delays and Diversions on M1, M6, M9, M22, M103, X1, X3, X4, X10, X11, X12, X12, X15, X16, X17, X18, X19, X20, X27, X28, X29.

Alternate side is in effect today.

NJ Rally: 4 to 4:30 pm at Giants Stadium.  Fans are invited to join the team at the stadium.  Its free and open to the public.

Gates open at 3pm.  Carpooling is recommended.  There will be no extra NJ Transit bus or train service in place.

GO GIANTS!!!

Good Morning!! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GIANTS!!! So far it's a busy traffic day.

For those of you that use 139 to the Holland Tunnel this one is for you. There's a New Traffic Pattern in effect until September 2009. Expect extra delays on Rt 3, Rt 120, and Paterson Plank Rd, as well as delays exiting at Int 16W from the NJ Turnpike.

Lanes of NJ 139 eastbound are closed, westbound the left is closed and turned into an eastbound lane. Motorists are not allowed to make a left from the NJ Turnpike and no right turns from 139 East to Jersey Ave. Follow the posted detours and expect delays.

At the Meadowlands today Expect Delays: There's a rally going on at the IZOD Center (Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama). Doors open at 10 am. Rally starts at 12pm. Expect delays on Rt 3, Rte 120, Paterson Plank Rd and exit 16W off the NJ Turnpike.

Good morning!!  A few things going on with mass transit this morning already!!!   

NJ Transit Bus service suspended on bus 196/197 at Skyline Dr because of weather.  Buses will travel on Ringwood Ave to Warwick. 

NJ Transit Trains cross honoring at Harriman, Tuxedo and Sloatsburg stations.  Shortline buses cross honoring in Orange county. 

Seastreak Ferry:  The following have been cancelled for today 5:50 am from Atlantic Higlands, 6:30 am from Pier 11, 7:30 am from Sandy Hook, 8:10 am from Pier 11, and 8:30 am from E. 35th St

Good morning!  Here's what  to expect today in Times Square traffic wise.  Mass Transit is highly recommended.

At 3:30 p.m. today Times Square will be closed to vehicle traffic.  Attendees will be filling Time Square along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to Central Park.

There will be No Parking in the following areas from Monday, December 31st at 12:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1st.  Another reason to use Mass Transit since parking will be limited.

 HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR!!!

• All cross-town streets from 34th to 57th Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenue
• West side of Sixth Avenue, from 34th to 59th Streets;
• East side of Eighth Avenue from 34th to 57th Streets;
• 48th Street between Fifth and Ninth Avenues.

At approximately 4:00 p.m. the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:

• Seventh Avenue, from 42nd to 59th Streets;
• Broadway, from 42nd to 59th Streets;
• 43rd to 47th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenue.

After 6:30 p.m. on Monday, the remainder of the traffic closures will be instituted as crowd conditions warrant:

• All cross-town streets from 37th to 42nd Streets - Sixth to Eighth Avenues;
• All cross-town streets from 49th to 59th Streets - Sixth to Eighth Avenues;
• 48th Street, from Fifth to Ninth Avenues;
• Cross-town access for emergency vehicles will be available on 42nd, 48th, 57th and 59th Streets.

People should avoid all cross-town streets from 34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues.

TRANSIT INFORMATION

            Beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 31st, some subway access around Times Square will be closed. The following subway system changes should be noted:

• Southbound and northbound N/R/W lines will skip the 49th Street station beginning at 7 p.m., Monday, December 31st until approximately 12:15 a.m., Tuesday, January 1st.
• The northbound IRT “#1” train will skip the 50th Street station beginning at 7 p.m., Monday, December 31st until approximately 12:15 a.m., Tuesday, January 1st.

Good Morning. Today and tomorrow are Gridlock Alert Days. Alternate side parking has been suspended because of the expected snow.

The morning commute looks ok. Your commute home will be affected...but sticking to the morning with all the school closings that means less cars on the roads!

Brooklyn:

Expect Delays on the Gowanus between the Prospect and Hamilton Ave, the HOV lane is closed because of a large pot hole at 38th St.

Good Morning.  Alternate side is in effect today city wide.  A few problems on the roadways this morning.  Here we go:

5 Boros:

Harlem River Dr/FDR Dr Southbound at 116th St Accident

Long Island:

Southern State Pkwy Eastbound Clsed Between the Sagtikos (exit 41A) and 5th Ave (exit 42) Accident Investigation from a crash that occurred around midnight

NJ:

New Jersey Turnpike East Spur Southbound after Interchange 15E crash

Don't forget tomorrow is a Gridlock Alert Day!