NYC Half Marathon and St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Impact on City Traffic
This coming Sunday and Monday, New York City will host two of its most cherished annual events: the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. While both events are celebrated by participants and attendees alike, they are notorious for eliciting road closures and traffic disruptions, particularly in Downtown Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and Midtown. Commuters and drivers should plan accordingly to avoid these congested areas during the events.
NYC Half Marathon: A Unique Route This Year
Scheduled for Sunday morning, the NYC Half Marathon kicks off at 7 a.m. in Prospect Heights, near the iconic Brooklyn Museum. A notable change this year includes the marathon’s route, which will now cross the historic Brooklyn Bridge due to ongoing construction on the Manhattan Bridge. Runners will traverse various neighborhoods and landmarks, including the FDR Drive and Times Square, ultimately reaching the finish line in Central Park.
Road Closures From Midnight
Preparation for the marathon begins early as road closures will take effect at midnight on Sunday. While many streets will begin to reopen at 10:30 a.m., some closures are anticipated to persist until about 5:30 p.m. Major impacted roads include Eastern Parkway, Franklin Avenue, and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, as well as Times Square, which sees closures only twice a year— the other instance being New Year’s Eve. Additionally, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and FDR Drive will face disruptions.
Comprehensive List of Brooklyn Closures
Event organizer New York Road Runners provides a detailed rundown of street closures for the NYC Half Marathon. Some of the key closures in Brooklyn will include:
- Eastern Parkway from Grand Army Plaza to Bedford Avenue
- Washington Avenue from Eastern Parkway to Empire Boulevard
- Classon Avenue from Eastern Parkway to President Street
- All of Flatbush Avenue from Eastern Parkway to Atlantic Avenue
These closures are designed to manage the influx of runners and spectators while ensuring safety during the race. For full details, you can visit the official New York Road Runners website.
Manhattan Road Closures Affected by the Marathon
Moving into Manhattan, traffic will also be notably impacted. Key closures include sections of the FDR Drive, which will be blocked from the Brooklyn Bridge to 62nd Street. Main thoroughfares such as East 42nd Street and Central Park West will also experience traffic alterations during the half marathon. These changes will be effective along major corridors and through the heart of Midtown, impacting northbound and southbound traffic alike.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: A More Manageable Event
In contrast to the extensive road closures expected for the half marathon, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, celebrating its 264th year, will have a relatively minor impact on traffic. The parade will take place on Monday starting at 11 a.m. along Fifth Avenue, between 43rd and 79th streets. Though it will prompt some local road closures, the effect on overall traffic flow will be less chaotic compared to the previous day’s marathon.
Street Closures for the Parade
Specific streets that will be closed or affected during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade include:
- Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd and 46th Streets
- 43rd to 46th Streets between Vanderbilt Avenue and Sixth Avenue
- Streets surrounding Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue in the surrounding areas
Additionally, parades will also be held in the Bronx and Brooklyn on Sunday, causing localized closures along East Tremont Avenue and Park Slope. These simultaneous events further contribute to the busy atmosphere of the city during this festive weekend.
As both the NYC Half Marathon and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade draw crowds from across the city and beyond, planning ahead for commuting is essential. Whether you’re a spectator or a participant, being aware of the changes to traffic patterns will allow for a smoother experience while enjoying the spirit of these beloved NYC events.
