Breaking News: NYC Gridlock Alert Days start today for 2024, as U.N. General Assembly enters high-level week

NEW YORK — New York City’s Gridlock Alert Days start Monday for the 2024 season, as the United Nations General Assembly enters its high-level week on Manhattan’s East Side.

Security is also ramped up around the city, with President Joe Biden and more than 140 world leaders in town throughout the week.

Making traffic even more of a mess, crews responded to a fuel spill on the Upper East Side at East 67th Street between Lexington and 3rd avenues. The FDNY said it received a call around 8:30 a.m. for a spill involving approximately 100 gallons of fuel

CBS News New York learned the nearby 19th Precinct was evacuated, but the spill is not impacting 911 calls in the area. Firefighters and EMS were hosing things down and checking for possible injuries.

NYC announces Gridlock Alert Days for 2024
The city’s Department of Transportation identified 20 days when traffic is expected to be at its worst. They include the U.N. General Assembly high-level week from Sept. 23 through Sept. 27, as well as the holiday tourism season.

During these days, transportation officials encourage New Yorkers to use mass transit, as much as possible.

We strongly encourage New Yorkers and those in the region to travel by transit every day of the year-but it’s especially important during Gridlock Alert days,” NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said in a statement. “The UN General Assembly is a great event each year the city is proud to host, but New Yorkers should do their part in minimizing congestion and seeking alternative modes of transportation.”

Data shows the average speed in Midtown drops to less than 4 miles per hour during the General Assembly week, compared to normal averages between 4 and 6 miles per hour.