QUARTERS FOR JONAS

The mayor is asking everyone to get off the streets, stay inside, and has declared a winter weather state of emergency for tomorrow. Alternate side parking rules are suspended, but guess what! Payment at parking meters will remain in effect. This means whoever did not find parking in an area free of meters, and had to park in a metered area overnight, will have to tread through as much as 12 inches of snow to feed their meters throughout the day. Does this make sense? I think it does only if you look at it from a city revenue perspective. Otherwise it's rather contradictory.  

SIMILAR SITUATION ON CHRYSTIE @ DELANCEY

Now that it is illegal to turn left unto Delancey Street (which primarily serves the Brooklyn-bound Williamsburgh Bridge) from both southbound Allen and Essex Streets, there is ever increasing congestion on the turning lanes of Bowery and Chrystie Streets instead. Each of them has only one and the green arrow for them is extremely short lived. The wait is then made excruciatingly long by motorists who aren't alert or familiar with the traffic pattern. You need both hands to count the number of light cycles typically wasted on this essential turn for vehicles heading over the bridge, and it spills into the right lane, causing delays for vehicles heading straight through the intersection. 

Since nobody understands the expression "TIME IS MONEY" more than a cabbie, we are often the ones that are caught in cop traps like the following one, which has become an ALL DAY, EVERYDAY pastime for one particular patrol car. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN LEFT FROM THE RIGHT LANE when approaching DELANCEY from southbound CHRYSTIE STREET. They hang out just beyond the intersection and WILL KNOCK OUT your livelihood for the day, not to mention the points! If you are in a rush to get on the bridge, a simple little secret could potentially work out. I'm talking about a smaller vertical southbound street: Ludlow! Try it out by getting on it at Houston Street and see how smooth the left turn unto Delancey becomes. There really aren't any other little streets which allow for this. Any closer to the bridge and the median is closed. Any further away and you encounter thicker traffic, though you may wanna try your luck on Mott Street, which provides access from Houston Street to Kenmare Street (which becomes Delancey past the Bowery).   

NO LEFT TURNS from 23rd Street on to 9th Avenue

This poor guy in a classic Ferrari had to suffer through my photo session while he received his ticket. This police car was marked, but I have seen black Chevrolet Impala Police, and Blue ones, and the mustachioed yellow cab police car who usually waits by the Pennsylvania Hotel has been there too..

Don't make this left turn, they are there almost everyday of the week. Plan your route in advance-
2 ways to 9th Avenue are:

• 21st Street to 9th Avenue-- >

However 21st Street is closed @ lunchtime on school days
Best Route: 

• 25th Street to 9th Avenue.. >

25th street is a very wide street, so nothing will block your path.

The ticket will happen in one of two ways:

1. The police car will usually be waiting at the near right corner of 23rd street (Northeast). He will then proceed to follow you through the turn and pull you over on the far right corner by the bus stop.
2. Without a police car, two officers will be waiting at the bus stop, they will walk in to the street to stop you after you make the turn and direct you to the bus stop again where you will receive your ticket.

MEGABUS

Departures are now happening at the end of West 34th St., across from Javits Center (between 11th and 12th Avenues). Remember that on the weekends the bus lane on 34th Street is open to all, so make use of that when crossing town with a Megabus passenger. If you want to pick up Megabus arrivals, just head down Seventh Avenue and pull over on the right around 28th Street by FIT if you see buses parked there. That's where they drop off.

Rules, and helpful hints for tomorrow.

The T&LC has some good advice and has posted relevant information regarding tomorrow.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/downloads/pdf/industry_notice_12_41.pdf

most importantly from the hours of 6am to 4pm. you have to have 2 passengers in your taxi to enter manhattan.

you can collect more than one fare at a time.. first ride is on the meter, additional riders are suggested 10 dollars. please do this when the demand is heavy, we all win.

all subways in brooklyn terminate to transfer to busses in downtown brooklyn.

subways coming from the bronx will end at grand central and penn station.... KEY POINTS,  to transfer to a bus or transfer to a taxi.

disregard that last post.

I'm very sorry for that last advisory post. pretty much everything listed and linked from what i posted yesterday was wrong!!

I hate when that happens, I try hard to research street closures, and all I get is unnecessary worries and headaches. Completely false information.

Sorry, for the inconvenience.

Although by coincidence I was right about one thing, 6th ave was closed, however it was only between 14th and 23rd for a street fare, and also it was a good idea to work earlier and end the shift early, as the traffic was a nightmare!!

Here's what I know about tomorrow, and this is not information from the internet, this is from the advisory boards on the Manhattan Bridge: there is a bike tour tomorrow in the morning, and it will use the west side highway in one direction and the FDR drive in the other direction. this tour will have one direction of both of these highways closed until noon. well... I think it will, so be prepared. work the middle rather than the outside of Manhattan... I have my doubts if any of this information is accurate, so as always, it is best to check 1010 wins news, or wcbs 880am, I'm sure they'll tell you if this is happening.

Again I'm so sorry for posting completely false information yesterday, I think this is partly why it's been so long since my last update of this blog, there's no way of knowing this kind of information in advance and preparing for it.

The best way to know about something in advance is through promotional materials, advertising and so on and so on.

helpful to be prepared for the weekend.

Click here-> Gridlock Sam's weekend traffic advice. And scroll down to his notes on street closures.

The Avon walk for breast cancer is also this weekend, and I am not sure if any streets are closed for that. Guests for the walkathon will be staying at the Hilton, and they have shuttle busses that take them to the start of the walk at the 43rd Street Pier on the west side highway (The Circle Line Cruises Pier) AT 4AM.  I believe the walk starts later, like 8am. So there may be people all over, but especially the Hilton, perhaps the Sheraton as well? whoever needs to get to 43rd and 12th ave.

The Gay Pride Parade is Sunday, so a good benefit to look for is parties the night before and parties the night after. I think last year the ballroom on 52nd street between 8th ave and broadway had a thing that lasted until 9am, and had people going home to Park Slope and Williamsburg, and upper west side, and greenwich village etc.. on Monday!?? I dunno, but good to look out for such things. the parades and street closures this weekend look horrible though, it seems like it never ends.

So try to make all your money on Friday, and in the nights and early mornings, if you work during the day shift during the weekend, i'd guess it'd be best to work hard before dawn and cut the shift off early before traffic traps you in Manhattan forever.

Good luck.

P.S. Do not wait for ships at the ship terminal. You are wasting your time. do not wait on a taxi line at the Car Wash on the West Side Highway. The police were giving tickets last weekend for standing in a no standing zone. The police were also in countless other places, in the mornings on Sunday especially. Be careful when double parking, and do not block intersections and crosswalks.

Do not pick up people at 7th avenue side of Penn Station from an active lane in the street. You must be on the taxi line to pick-up passengers.

 the dispatcher at the train station wants to put people in taxicabs, the police want to give tickets to taxicabs. the two people are working against each other. if I am stopped at a red light at 32nd street and 7th avenue on the far right lane, i lock my doors, i don't care what the dispatcher says, I am not getting a ticket from the police officer hiding between the parked police cars across the street.

STAY AWAY FROM PENN STATION AND SIMILAR LOCATIONS IF POSSIBLE.

TOO MANY COPS GIVING US TOO MANY TICKETS IN THESE AREAS.

MIND THE SPEED LIMIT AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, EVEN IF IT SEEMS ABSURD.

GETTING THE SPEEDING TICKET IS MORE ABSURD.

FOR EXAMPLE: BROADWAY AT 120TH STREET.

DOWNHILL AT NORTHEAST CORNER

HEADING UPTOWN PAST COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY OVER 30MPH

IS, IN THE WORDS OF THE WISE TAXI SAGE GEJZA, "A BIG NO NO".

THE NEW NO TURN RULE ON GRAND STREET IN CHINATOWN AT BOWERY

IS BEING CONTINUOUSLY ENFORCED LATELY. DON'T DO IT.

A STRATEGY IS REQUIRED FOR UPTOWN BOWERY,

SINCE LEFTS ARE ILLEGAL AT CANAL, GRAND, AND KENMARE.

I GUESS HOUSTON IS THE ONLY OPTION LEFT,

AFTER YOU MAKE A PREMATURE LEFT AT ELIZABETH OR BEFORE THAT.

FOR DOWNTOWN BOWERY MAKE PREMATURE RIGHT AT MOTT

AND A LEFT AT CANAL. OR CONTINUE STRAIGHT ON GRAND TO CHRYSTIE AND BACKTRACK VIA HESTER. WOW! ALL THIS SEEMS A BIT OVER THE TOP FOR US CABBIES WHO DON'T HAVE TIME FOR SUCH CIVILIAN TOMFOOLERY.

Turn Signal

I was dropping off a passenger on 125th Street between Lenox and Seventh Avenue in Harlem at around 5:30 am this morning. I was headed westbound and the passenger wasn't clear about where to stop. The plan was to turn right on Seventh and stop at 127th Street, but he suddenly said, "you can drop me off right here." I carefully pulled into the empty parking lane, aware that a cop was a couple dozen feet behind me. The cop stopped in the moving lane and waited for me to complete the transaction. When I signaled and pulled back into the moving lane, the cop's lights came on. I was stopped for failure to use my turn signal. I use my turn signal religiously 95% of the time. I failed to do so when I pulled into the parking lane because it was an abrupt decision on the part of the passenger, but I could have sworn I threw on my hazard lights upon slowing to a stop. I do that 100% of the time. Anyhow, be careful out there. Many tickets being issued to taxicabs. I almost quit my job today, but I'm not going to let irreconcilable cops, hours of vacant cruising, and poor tippers keep me from a job I feel proud doing well in the city I love to serve.

Current Warnings

McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn (near the Pulaski Bridge) has become a prime target area for speeding tickets, in both directions. The speed limit is 30. There are undercover vehicles checking you upon approach to and descent from the bridge. It's easy to go 50 or over since it looks and feels like a highway. Don't be fooled.

In another part of town (Harlem), traveling south along Broadway, approaching 125th Street, there is often a vigilant cop car parked on the left, under the overhead train. Not sure what they're looking for, but this downhill stretch offers an easy opportunity to go way over the speed limit.

Hypocrisy on West 23rd Street

No other vehicle in the city do I see more commonly missing a functional headlight (and sometimes tail lights) than their patrol cars. This cab was stopped in Chelsea for having a tail light out. I understand it's dangerous not to replace it immediately and I also understand that the ticket is dismissible upon completion of such a task.

However, like them, we are professionals serving the city's streets under high pressure. Least they could do is show some brotherhood by pulling up next to us and politely informing us of the situation, instead of turning on their intimidating lights, sirens, ground-shaking whoop horn, and wasting our time with a summons.

What we have to do as taxi drivers is to show each other some unity by informing each other of nonfunctional headlights and brake lights. Just lightly tap the horn to get your comrade's attention. That's all. Let's show some concern for each other out there, and maybe even other motorists. I always tell anyone and everyone when their light(s) are out.

Pormanteau

South Brooklyn is not southern Brooklyn. The latter you can say consists of Coney Island and surrounding neighborhoods. South Brooklyn, however, is the area directly below downtown Brooklyn, or the lower half of what was the 18th century Town of Brooklyn.

That being said, it's important for cabbies to know how to navigate these neighborhoods. Housing projects break up streets like Butler and Warren, while the Gowanus Canal breaks up every street from Douglass to below 9th. Only 3rd and 9th Streets cross the canal both directions, while Union and Carroll cross it eastbound only. For example, you pick up a passenger on Fourth Avenue and Bergen. They're going to Union and Bond. Your instinct may be to head down Fourth and right on Union, but even though Union is a two-way street east of Third, not so to the west of that. You're best off staying on Bergen to Hoyt and taking that down to Union. Once you make the left unto Union, there's Bond! Study the area on a street map for a few minutes. And know what BoCoCa stands for: Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens.

thru streets- 37th street and lexington, day hours.

On Lexington Avenue between 36th St. and 37th St. You can bet that there are police in the middle of the block after 10am watching for cars dis-obeying the no left turn sign. there is heavy traffic sometimes coming out of the tunnel. there are no turns allowed after 10 am on lexington avenue. use 35th street instead for left turns on lexington.

PARK AVENUE AT 46th STREET

If you are driving uptown thru the tunnel and over the viaduct, DO NOT make that first right unto 46th street, under any circumstance. If you are driving downtown along Park Ave., DO NOT make a left from anywhere BUT the LEFT LANE, and DO NOT scoot through the crosswalk or gun the gas pedal as the light turns red, IF you are about to make that LEFT TURN unto 46th. It's tempting to try and make the light anyway because too many vehicles clog up that intersection all day long. Well, you know what else happens all day long? STED stands guard at the southeast corner and WILL write you a summons. STED stands for Surface Transportation Enforcement Division. Now you know the next time you see those letters on an NYPD patrol car or uniform pin.

HIDDEN SPEED TRAP

At the end of the Prospect Expressway there is a traffic light at Church Avenue, just before it becomes Ocean Parkway. The speed limit is 30. It's easy to approach that intersection at 60 mph. That's 30 over, which comes with 6 points. The cops hide off to the right and point a lazer at traffic. Be especially careful at the end of each month. Yes, they've got quotas.

Puerto Rico!

Remember tomorrow is the P.R. Parade. @11am on 5th Avenue from 79th to 43rd street. Steer clear of crosstown in the uptowns. starting the day early might be a good idea too, or late, what have you.

For Sunday June Five

- 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 79th Street
- 74th Street to 78th Streets 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
The above streets will be closed Sunday from 11am to 4pm for the Israel Parade as permitted by NYPD.

3rd Avenue between East 14th Street and East 23rd Street: This street will be closed Sunday from 11am to 6pm for the Seafarer’s International House 3rd Avenue Fair as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

3rd Avenue between East 61st Street and East 63rd Street: Three lanes of traffic will be maintained from 6am to 9pm to facilitate crane operation. Avoid Third if possible.

West 3rd Street between Thompson Street and West Broadway: This street will be closed Saturday and/or Sunday from 8am to 6pm to facilitate Con Edison roadway utility work.

PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE:

Formation:
- 38th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 37th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 36th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
Route:
- Madison Avenue between 38th Street and 27th Street
Dispersal:
- 27th Street between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue South
The above streets will be closed Sunday from 12pm to 3pm as permitted by NYPD.

NYC Current Events & Cruise Schedule

Annual Tattoo Convention at Roseland Ballroom

(W52 btw 8 & BWY): May 13 - 15

ANNUAL TATTOO CONVENTION @ ROSELAND BALLROOM

W52 BTW 8 & BWY: MAY 13-15

Pratt’s 122nd Commencement to be Held on May 16 at Pier 94 in Manhattan. Pratt Institute will honor an expected 1,400 bachelor's and master's degree candidates during its 122nd Commencement at 11 a.m. on May 16 at Pier 94, 775 Twelfth Avenue in New York City.

CURRENT JAVITS CENTER EVENTS:

Int'l Contemporary Furniture Fair May 14-17, 2011 Show Hours: Trade Saturday, May 14–Monday, May 16 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Trade and General Public Tuesday, May 17 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m May 15, 2011 - May 18, 2011 National Stationery Show Show Hours: Sunday, 9 am - 6 pm Monday, 9 am - 6 pm Tuesday, 9 am - 6 pm Wednesday, 9 am - 12:00 pm the Supply Side May 15, 2011 - May 18, 2011 Show Hours: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 9 am - 6 pm 9 am - 6 pm 9 am - 6 pm 9 am - 12 noon l Tattoo Convention Surtex May 15, 2011 - May 17, 2011 Show Hours: Sunday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday, 9:00am - 6:00 pm Tuesday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 2011 CRUISE SCHEDULE AT MANHATTAN SHIP TERMINAL: W. SIDE HIGHWAY (USUALLY ARRIVING BETWEEN 8 & 9 AM?) Norwegian Gem – February 1, 11, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; May 7, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21, 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; November 6, 13, 20, 27; December 4, 11, 18, 25 Norwegian Jewel – February 2, 12, 13, 20, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 17, 21, 28; June 4, 11, 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; August 6, 13, 20, 27; September 3, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19, 26; December 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 Norwegian Dawn - Norwegian Epic - Queen Mary 2 – May 17; July 1, 6 Queen Elizabeth – September 19, 20 Crown Princess – October 22 Carnival Miracle – April 14, 21, 28; May 6, 14, 22, 30; June 7, 15, 23; July 1, 9, 17, 25; August 2, 10, 18, 26; September 3, 11, 19, 27; October 5, 13 Carnival Glory – June 5, 9, 13, 18, 23, 27; July 2, 7, 11, 16, 21, 25, 30; August 4, 8, 13, 18, 22, 27; September 1, 5, 10, 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15 Veendam – May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; August 7, 14, 21, 28; September 4, 11, 18, 25; October 2, 9, 16 Prinsendam – May 17 Rotterdam – July 12 Marina – April 2, 3 Princess Danae – April 10, 11, 12 Club Med 2 – April 27, 28 Silver Whisper – May 17; September 21; October 11, 20 Le Boreal – October 8 Crystal Symphony – September 13, 14; October 6, 27 MSC Poesia – September 27, 28; October 8, 22, 29 MV Regatta – September 30; October 24 MV Navigator – October 3 MV Columbus – October 11, 12 Seabourn Sojourn – September 30; October 15 Seabourn Spirit – December 9 ms Eurodam -September 10, 30 Aurora – September 25, 26 Arcadia – June 12, 13; September 7, 8 The World – April 28, 29, 30; May 1 AIDAluna- September 17, 18, 19; October 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30, 31 AIDAaura – September 11, 12, 13; October 1, 2, 3, 21, 22, 23

MID MAY MEANS MAYHEM MOUNTING

Street festivals are on the rise. Ninth will close from 57th to 37th for Int'l. Food Fest all weekend coming up.

Saturday, the 14th, Sixth Avenue will be shut down from 42nd to 56th for something called "Children of the World", and 14th to 4th along Second Av.

Sunday, the 15th, Broadway will close from 23rd to 17th for the Gramercy Neighborhood, and Fifth Av from St. John to 12th St.

Saturday, the 21st, Third Avenue closes from 6th to 14th for the Lower 3rd Spring Fest, and Sixth Ave from 23rd to 14th.

Sunday, May 22nd will see Broadway shut down from 47th to 57th for the Times Square Fair, and Park Avenue from 34th to 40th for a Taste of Murray Hill, and Flatbush from Parkside to Cortelyou in Brooklyn.

Friday, May 27th will have 43rd closed from Third to Lex for the Grand Central Spring Fair.

Saturday, May 28th shuts Lex down from 57th to 42nd for a spring fest, as well as Washington Square North from University to Sixth for the Waverly Fest.

Sunday, the 29th we have Lex closed again, but this time it's from 34th to 23rd for Spring Jubilee. Also, Broadway from 72nd to 86th for the West Side Fest.

Monday, May 30th, the Astoria Festival shuts Broadway down in Queens from Steinway to Crescent.

possible street closures for saturday?

Waverly Place between Greene Street and Broadway,

Broadway between Waverly Place and State Street closed 10am-7pm Saturday

Mental Illness Parade closes Fulton, Gold, Spruce Sts, Broadway, Park Row, Chamber Sts bet 10am-2pm Saturday

this was posted by Gridlock Sam. Not sure if this will actually happen or not. but we shouldn't be surprised if they happen and plan accordingly. I apologize for the post I sent before about a bunch of annoying road closures that never happened, I suppose it was the rain that saturday that canceled all of those street closures. but in my memory, it's always the saturdays where annoying things like this happen. and add to that Taxi and Limousine Commission Ford Escapes in blue and grey that patrol the hotels around times square for infractions such as double parking, or not pulling close enough to the curb properly.

5 Boro Bike Tour 2011

Sunday, May 1st. Over 30,000 cyclists. 42 miles of road closures.

It starts in Battery Park at 8 am. Here is a link to the list of streets forming the route. Basically, it slices all of Manhattan in half (along Church and Sixth Avenue) all the way up to Central Park. It pops back out on the northern end at 110th in Harlem and continues up along A.C. Powell Blvd (Seventh Av) to 135th, makes a right, then a left unto the Madison Avenue Bridge into The Bronx. Then it's 138th to Third and right back into Manhattan. Down the FDR Drive to 63rd, over the Queensboro Bridge, up 21st to Astoria Park, back down Vernon and over the Pulaski Bridge. McGuinness. Greenpoint. Franklin. Kent. Flushing. Navy. York. Gold. Front. Old Fulton. Columbia. BQE at Atlantic. Belt Parkway. Exit Fourth Ave. 101st. Fort Hamilton. 92nd. Verrazano Bridge. Fort Wadsworth. Bay. Hylan. Edgewater. Hulbert. Hannah. Bay. Staten Island Ferry back to the starting point. Steer clear of these areas all day long. Before you begin each fare, look at your map and negotiate a route with your passenger that will avoid getting you both stuck in traffic.

summer time- closures commence.

many parades, etc..

International Gospel Uptown closes 6th av from 42-56 sts 10am-3pm Saturday. Street fair also closes 8th av from 14-23 sts 10am-7pm Saturday.

that's avoiding 6th avenue i'm guessing it'll get shut down at 40th street or 38th, only one option really seems appropriate stay east when heading uptown for rides. if you pick up under 23rd at 6th avenue make your turns before 23rd, like 20th street perhaps, the earlier the better, just avoid it all together, try to be uptown and do crosstown trips, and when you get a ride going downtown make the crosstown trips well above 56th street (like 79th) or well below (like houston) i'd go back uptown empty on the fdr drive or 12th avenue and work for a straight trip downtown again with a fare.

if you feel bold there will be heavy demand for rides from penn station to the javits center, but really that won't be too profitable, at around 10am up to 1pm i guess. when 6th avenue opens up again, or depending on how much this closure blocks up crosstown traffic, there will again be a lot of demand for passengers at javits center again.

VVanderbilt Ave. bet 42-46 sts closed 10am-7pm Saturday for Day 2 of Earth Day Fair. so i;d forget about going to grand central station to get fares, because turning is illegal on madison avenue, and 6th avenue is closed at 42nd, wow, your not going to even get to grand central, and you're not going to get out either.

so the plan: upper west, upper east, do crosstown trips there. take anything on the downtown avenues for a relatively smooth ride, but that crosstown traffic will be a nightmare in chelsea and midtown. once downtown, head uptown on the highways to get fares uptown going downtown again, or perhaps try your luck with lower east side, eeast village getting something uptown staying on the east side, but chances could be they could go to midtown and with 6th avenue closed it'd be tough.

Javits Center

had a good day today: The Javits Center appears to be having 3 shows through tuesday, all ending at 4ish on tuesday, monday's show ends later. this is a good idea for pick-ups perhaps to the airports. or they're going to their hotels, but tuesday? mixing of a bad day normally with the possibility for a lot of people who need to go to the airport, sounds like that's worth checking out. Pier 94 had something going on too, wouldn't be surprised if it also ends on tuesday.

Courtesy of Gridlock Sam

THIS WEEK LOOK OUT FOR:

• FIFTH AVE.: Right turn bans in effect at 55th, 53rd, 51st and 47th Sts. through New Year's. Fifth Ave. closed between 48th and 52nd Sts. 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday for tree lighting. Also, 48th to 51st Sts. closed between Fifth and Sixth Aves., at same time.

• SIXTH AVE.: Extra sluggish between 48th and 52nd Sts. from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

• GRAND ARMY PLAZA/59TH ST.: World's largest menorah lighting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday for first night of Chanukah.

• LINCOLN CENTER: Winter Eve/Tree Lighting 5:30 p.m. Monday.

• FDR DRIVE: Southbound exit ramp to Manhattan Civic Center closed 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Ramp to Brooklyn Bridge still open.

• MAJOR SHOPPING AREAS: Jammed through New Year's.

• PENN STATION/BUS TERMINAL: Jammed for return trips home Sunday.

• MEADOWLANDS: Giants vs. Jaguars 1 p.m. Sunday.

• THE GARDEN: Events 7 p.m. Sunday through Friday.

BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

• HOLLAND TUNNEL: Because of Hudson St. closure, other approaches to outbound Holland jammed. Avoid Varick St. and use Canal St.

• LINCOLN TUNNEL: Jammed all day Sunday with 1 p.m. Giants game!

• BROOKLYN BRIDGE: Park Row and Centre St. entrance ramps to bridge closed 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. nightly Monday through Saturday morning next three weeks.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/traffic/index.html#ixzz16cjpQvTm