City officials are urging New Yorkers to use mass transit to travel the city as increased security and traffic are expected during the United Nations’ 81st General Assembly (UNGA) next week, which hosts global leaders from 193 member states to address world issues.
High-level general debates begin on Tuesday, Sept 22, and will continue through Monday, Sept. 28, at the UN’s East Midtown location.
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has already issued Gridlock Alert Days during UNGA for Sept. 21 to Sept. 25. Drivers should expect extensive street closures and delays across Manhattan for the duration of those days, especially around the UN’s headquarters along First Avenue between 34th and 63rd Streets.
Other streets in the area may also shut down at any point, as diplomats, ambassadors and heads of state traverse the city throughout the session.
City officials encourage New Yorkers and visitors to use non-driving modes of transportation during UNGA.
DOT traffic data shows that average motor vehicle speeds in Midtown during UNGA week are historically their slowest of the year: less than four miles per hour, whereas Midtown traffic normally averages between four and six miles per hour.
Gridlock Alert Days include rolling pedestrian and vehicle closures, both surrounding the United Nations and across the city as delegations traverse the boroughs.
“I want to encourage everyone traveling in Manhattan to use public transportation wherever possible and to allow for extra travel time,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during a press conference about UNGA traffic and security on Thursday.
The FDR Drive will also be closed at certain times during the event. Ferry service may also be disrupted, the mayor said.
UN General Assembly street closures
Closures Sept. 20 to 26:
First Avenue, from E. 41st Street to E. 48th Street
From E. 44th Street to E. 47th Street, First to Second Avenue each day
Each day while the meeting is in session, until around 9 p.m., E. 42nd Street will close from First to Second Avenues; the E. 42nd Street exit on the FDR will be blocked off
Passenger vehicles and bicycles can use the First Avenue Tunnel to travel north through the area. Vehicles requiring access to Tudor City can enter via E. 41st and E. 43rd Streets
Using public transportation
Since buses may be delayed and/or rerouted due to security and road closures, train travel is the ideal way to get around during the week-long affair, officials, as well as reps at the MTA said, especially in Manhattan.
How often do East Side trains run?
Along the East Side, trains run every four minutes during the day, and every two and a half to three minutes during rush hours, and take 15 minutes to travel between 59 St and Wall St. During rush hour, the trains run every three minutes in the area.
Trains on the 7 line run every four to five and half minutes during the day and every two to two and a half minutes during rush hours. Trains take nine minutes to travel between Times Square-42 St. and Vernon Blvd.-Jackson Ave.
Along 53rd Street, the E and F trains will run every three to four minutes during the day and every two to three minutes during rush hours. The trip between Forest Hills and Lexington Avenue takes about 17 minutes.
The N and Q trains will run every four minutes during the day and every three and a half to four and a half minutes during rush hours. The trip between 34th Street-Herald Square and Canal Street takes about eight minutes.
Commuters traveling in the area via bus and Access-A-Ride should allow for additional travel time to get to and from their destinations and check the MTA app for the latest service updates.
Current status information and upcoming planned service changes are also available online at mta.info.
More Gridlock Alert Days
In addition to next week, the DOT announced a list of other Gridlock Alert Days in 2026, most of which are in the holiday season:
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Thursday, Nov. 19
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Wednesday, Dec. 2
Thursday, Dec. 3
Friday, Dec. 4
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Thursday, Dec. 10
Friday, Dec. 11
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Thursday, Dec. 17
Friday, Dec. 18
Wednesday, Dec. 23
To stay updated on UNGA, New Yorkers can sign up for Notify NYC alerts.