NEW YORK (PIX11) – A jam-packed weekend will test transportation networks between New York and New Jersey as 80,000 soccer fans head to the first match of the FIFA World Cup in New Jersey.
Officials say traffic patterns and transit operations will begin shifting around noon on Saturday as fans travel to the Meadowlands.
Only ticket holders are permitted on stadium grounds. Agencies report slow sales of rail and official shuttle bus tickets as of Friday evening.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased on the day of matches. Sales have previously increased dramatically on the actual day of other events such as the Super Bowl and concerts.
One of the most significant traffic changes will occur in Manhattan, where the entire length of 42nd Street, from river to river, will become a bus-only corridor.
The temporary route will provide a direct path for buses and emergency vehicles through the Lincoln Tunnel and toward the stadium in East Rutherford.
Additionally, two bus-only lanes on Fifth and Sixth avenues will also be enforced. Vehicle traffic will be able to move north to south on those avenues in the other lanes.
The transportation adjustments come as the region has already experienced increased activity from NBA Championship events and the start of the summer tourism season.
The New York Knicks will be playing an away game in San Antonio. Madison Square Garden will not host a watch party because of a scheduled concert.
New York City road restrictions are scheduled to remain in effect from noon until 11 p.m.
New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn said the bus lanes are designed to move thousands of people efficiently to the stadium.
“Do not take a car. Take transit, walk, or bike if you’re nearby,” Flynn said. “There will be frustration. This will reduce it if we can.”
At Penn Station, NJ Transit riders traveling to the stadium are expected to begin lining up around 1 p.m.
NJ Transit will suspend regular rail service on the Meadowlands line and operate dedicated game-day service beginning four hours before kickoff and continuing until three hours after the match.
Chief of the New Jersey Transit Police Department Christopher Trucillo said passengers at Penn Station will encounter light security measures before boarding.
“As people queue at Penn Station New York, they’re going to have to go through some soft screening,” Trucillo said. “Some technology the city and Amtrak have used before that’s not going to slow people down.”
Enhanced screening is being conducted by FIFA at the stadium entrance to the Fan Experience. The fan zones will open three hours before kickoff and remain accessible for three hours after the match. There is no parking on stadium grounds.
Fans traveling by train will transfer at Secaucus Junction before boarding one of eight train sets assigned to shuttle passengers on the 15-minute ride to the stadium. Officials say test runs and maintenance checks have already been completed. Amtrak also says that crews and equipment are staged and that preventive maintenance has been completed.
Upon arrival, fans will proceed directly from the rail platforms to the stadium gates. NJ Transit has also expanded its bus staging area and will have buses available as needed.
Fans arriving by rideshare or the official FIFA shuttle buses will face a longer walk. Drop-offs are located near the Meadowlands Racetrack, approximately 1.3 miles from the stadium entrance.
Those visitors will use a pedestrian walkway shared with fans who park at American Dream, the shopping and entertainment complex located across from the stadium. The mall also has prepaid parking.
Officials say additional space has been created around the stadium grounds to keep crowds moving safely and efficiently toward entry points.
Transit ticket sales as of Friday:
About 12,000 fans had purchased NJ Transit rail tickets. The agency has planned for 40,000 rail passengers per match.
About 13,000 tickets had been sold for the official shuttle bus service. It leaves from three locations in midtown Manhattan and one in New Jersey.
About 3,500 prepaid parking spaces had been purchased at American Dream. Officials estimate cars will carry multiple fans.
MetLife Stadium’s capacity is approximately 80,000 spectators. Only people with match tickets can enter the stadium grounds or the bus/train during the special service.
Rideshare services are also expected to transport thousands of fans to the designated racetrack drop-off location, which is located about 1.3 miles away and requires following a path to the pedestrian overpass.
State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be deployed throughout the area to manage traffic and enforce restrictions, including rules prohibiting unauthorized drop-offs and pedestrian activity in restricted roadways.
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