July 4th New York City Transit Bus Advisory
On Saturday, July 4, 2009, expect heavy traffic and significant bus delays from 5-10:30 PM due to the Macy's July 4th Fireworks display.The following bus routes will be affected:
M14, M16, M23, M27, M31, M34, M42, M50, M57, M66, M72, M79, M86, M96
Some westbound buses will not continue beyond 10th Avenue.
July 4th NYC Street Closures and Traffic Information
If you’re driving to see the fireworks, keep in mind that the West Side Highway will be closed from 14th to 96th Streets in both directions from about 4 PM onward. You will need to exit at 96th Street going south.The New York City Police Department may close the West Side Highway as far north as 125th Street or 158th Street, depending on traffic.
All cross-streets in the Macy's July 4th Fireworks public viewing area (23rd to 59th Streets) will be closed to vehicles west of 11th Avenue.
All streets should re-open between 2 and 3 AM, depending on how long clean-up takes.
Get the latest info on New York City traffic.
July 4th NYC Parking Tips
Since July 4th is a public holiday, parking on the street is free if you can find a spot.If you want to park your car in a garage, there are 47 garages and private lots in the prime fireworks viewing area (from 42nd to 23rd Street between 8th Avenue and the West Side Highway).
"Since about half of these garages are used to charging a special ‘event rate’ for the Javits Center, they will probably impose an event rate for July 4th," says NYC parking expert Margot Tohn. "But we’ll have to wait and see, since this is the first time the fireworks will be on the West Side."
Tohn suggests going east of 8th Avenue and trying some of the smaller chains or independent garages that are more likely to charge their normal weekend rate. Garages in midtown may be much less expensive on a Saturday night and then you can take the Shuttle over to Times Square.
Get more NYC parking tips and parking garage information.
