Dear Friend:
As His Holiness, Pope Francis, begins his first visit to the United States since becoming Pope, I wanted to let you know about changes to normal operations that will occur during his travels in New York City from Thursday, September 24 until Saturday, September 26.
Please read the information below to learn when and how your part of the city may be affected. In addition to making residents aware of street closures and traffic restrictions that may cause delays, the Mayor has also advised building occupants and employees in affected areas to carry identification at all times.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me by return email or at 212-633-8052.
All best,
Brad Hoylman
State Senator
27th District – Manhattan
STREET CLOSURES AND TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS
Central Park
Friday, September 25, 5:00pm—7:00pm
- Pope Francis’ Central Park Procession begins at approximately 5:00 PMand concludes at 7:00PM on Friday, September 25th.
- 12:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic on 61st Street, 62nd Street, 63rd Street, 64th Street, 65th Street and 66th Street between Central Park West and Broadway.
- Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic on 67th Street, 68th Street, 69th Street, 70th Street, 71st Street, 72nd Street, 73rd Street, 74th Street, 75th Street, 76th Street, and 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
- Central Park will remain open to the public, but access to the park between West Drive and Central Park West from 81st Street to 59th Street—Columbus Circle will be limited to ticketed guests.
East Harlem
Friday, September 25, 4:00pm—5:15pm
- Pope Francis will visit 229 East 112th Street beginning at 4:00pm and concluding at 5:15pm on Friday, September 25th. This event is by invitation only through the Archdiocese of New York.
- 12:00 AM to 6:00PM
- 112th Street from 2nd Avenue to 3rd Avenue will be closed to vehicular Traffic
- 113th Street Cul-de-sac will be closed to vehicular traffic
- 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Trucks will not be able to access 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue between 106th Street to 116th Street
- Streets may face interruptions in flow of traffic or activities from Lexington Avenue to 2nd Avenue between 110th Street and 116th Street.
FDR Drive
Thursday, September 24th and Saturday, September 26th
- FDR Drive is subject to intermittent closures for the following locations:
- Southbound traffic at 63rd street
- Northbound traffic at South Ferry
Financial District
Friday, September 25, 11:00am—1:00pm
- Pope Francis will visit the National September 11 Memorial and Museum beginning at 11:00am and concluding at 1:00pm on Friday, September 25th. This event is by invitation only through the September 11 Memorial and Archdiocese of New York.
- 12:00 AM
- Liberty Street and Cedar Street will be closed between Trinity Place and Greenwich Street
- 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Northbound traffic lanes on West Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Battery Place to Murray Street
- Southbound traffic lanes will be closed on West Street between Chambers Street and Albany Street
- Trucks will be restricted from moving south on West Street between Chambers Street and Albany Street
- Streets may face interruptions in flow of traffic or activities from Barclay St to Battery Park Place between West Street and Broadway.
Midtown
Thursday, September 24, 5:30pm-8:00pm
- During Pope Francis’ visit to New York City he will make visits to the Midtown area including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 51st and Madison Avenue. This event is by invitation only through the City of New York and the Archdiocese of New York.
- 12:00 AM
- 50th Street and 51st Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5th Avenue to Madison Avenue.
- 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM
- 5th Avenue between 55th Street to 47th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.
- 55th Street to 48th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 6th Avenue and Madison
- 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- 5th Avenue will reopen
- All crosstown traffic will reopen, but will be reduced to one lane.\
- 50th Street and 51st Street will remain closed to vehicular traffic from 5th Avenue to Madison Avenue.
- 10:00 AM
- 5th Avenue between 55th Street to 47th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.
- 55th Street to 48th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between 6th Avenue and Madison
- 2:00 PM
- Madison Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic from 47th Street to 52nd Street.
- 5:45 PM to 6:00 PM
- 5th Avenue from 56th Street to 48th Street will be closed to pedestrian traffic.
Friday, September 25th, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- During Pope Francis’ visit to New York City he will make visits to the Midtown area including the United Nations. This event is not open to the public.
- 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM
- Upper 1st Avenue is closed between 42nd Street to 46th Street
- 42nd Street is closed to vehicular traffic from 2nd Avenue to 1st Avenue
- FDR 42nd Street exit will be closed to vehicular traffic.
- 43rd Street, 44th Street and 45th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
- Trucks will be restricted on Lower 1st Avenue between 40th Street and 47th Street.
Madison Square Garden
Friday, September 25th, 6:00pm—8:15pm
- Pope Francis will visit Madison Square Garden beginning at 6:00pmand concluding at 8:00 PM on Friday, September 25th. This event is by invitation only through the Archdiocese of New York.
- 12:00 AM to 11:59PM
- Streets will be closed to vehicular on 33rd Street and 31st Street from 9th Avenue to 7th Avenue.
- 12:00 PM
- Streets will have managed access for vehicular traffic on
- 31st Street, 32nd Street and 33rd Street from 6th Avenue to 7th Avenue
- On 7th Avenue from 30th Street to 34th Street, two western lanes will be closed to vehicular traffic
- On 8th Avenue from 31st Street to 33rd Street, streets will be reduced to one lane only with intermittent closures
- Trucks will be restricted from 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue from 30th Street to 34th Street
- 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- 8th Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic between 31st Street and 33rd Street
- The only entrance to Madison Square Garden will be from 7th Avenue. Building occupants and employees are encouraged to carry identification at all times.
- There may be interruptions in street activity from 9th Avenue to 6th Avenue between 29th Street and 34th Street.
Upper East Side
Starting Thursday, September 24th at 6:00 am and ending Saturday, September 26th, 7:00 am
- Due to the Papal visit, streets may face periodic interruptions in flow of traffic or activities from 70th Street to 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue.
- Starting September 24th until September 26th
- 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Madison Avenue from 69th Street to 73rd Street will be closed to vehicular traffic on the two western lanes
- Trucks will have restricted access in this area
- 5th Avenue from 71st Street to 74th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic on 1 eastern lane.
- 71st Street and 72nd Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5th Avenue to Madison Avenue
- 70th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Park Avenue to Madison Avenue
- 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM
- 71st Street, 72nd Street and 73rd Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 5th Avenue to Park Avenue
- Madison Avenue will be closed between 68th Street to 74th Street
- Trucks are restricted on 5th Avenue from 71st Street to 74th Street
- When Pope Francis is not in residence, Madison Avenue will not be restricted.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Please visit www.mta.info for updates on any service interruptions or reroutes.
If you have any further questions regarding this event and other street closures, please visit nyc.gov/papalvisit or contact 311 or dial 212-NEW-YORK.
