DOT’s Holiday Traffic Plan Highlights Gridlock Alert Days

The New York City Department of Transportation released its plan to help improve travel on the heaviest traffic days during the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.

The department singled out nine Gridlock Alert Days in November and December, and the public is urged to take mass transit on those days.

New York City traffic expert Sam "Gridlock Sam" Schwartz also weighed in with his own gridlock rundown for the next several days:

Wednesday, Nov. 23: "Biggest travel day of the year. All major roads and crossings jammed. Penn Station mobbed. West 77th and 81st Streets closed for balloon inflation. Central Park West closes after 10 p.m. for parade setup."
Thursday, Nov. 24 (NOT a NYC-designated gridlock alert day): "Thanksgiving Day Parade down Central Park West to 59th St. to Seventh Ave. to 42nd St. to Sixth Ave. to 34th St/Macy’s. All roads and crossings stuffed after 1 p.m. Black Friday begins earlier than ever with some shops opening 10 p.m. or 11 p.m."
Friday, Nov. 25 (NOT a NYC-designated gridlock alert day): "Biggest shopping day of year and biggest parking ticket day of year, since Black Friday feels like a major parking holiday, which it’s not! All parking rules in effect. Five Rockettes’ performances at Radio City."
Sunday, Nov. 27 to Monday, Nov. 28 (NOT NYC-designated gridlock alert days): "Return trips home causes gridlock on the roads, rails and skies. Bills vs. Jets 1 p.m. Sunday."
Wednesday, Nov. 30: "Biggest Gridlock Alert Day of Decade! Tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and President Obama in NYC for fundraisers between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., including one at Sheraton Hotel. Fifth/Sixth Aves. closed from 48th to 51st Sts., FDR Drive below 63rd St. frozen along with all avenues east of Seventh and more."
Friday, Dec. 9
Thursday, Dec. 15
Friday, Dec. 16
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Thursday, Dec. 22
Friday, Dec. 23