Anyone in NYC with updating river crossing info?

[theeye]

It seems so trivial in the face of such tragedy, but I'd really like to spend this night back home in NYC with my husband and son.

I'm in NJ trying to figure out if I'll have any route at all into the city. I'm hearing that the Verazzano Bridge and the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel are open -- if the Goethels is also open, then I could make an attempt to get home that way.

Does anyone know if there's any feasible route from North NJ to the Upper West Side? I'm willing to risk a many hour ride.

This is not an emergency -- my parents live in So. Jersey and I can crash there (along with an employee who lives near me and whom my parents will also put up). But both of us would rather get home if there's any way.

So anyone know if I've got a chance in hell? Any traffic sites that are well-updated you can point me too?

[hypotenuse]

Did you get across?

I saw on the news late last night where they were blocking access into NYC, but that you could cross the other way heading out.

How's your husband and the Poopster?

Lynne

[theeye]

Thanks for asking, Lynne. I was just coming over here to bump this up.

Nope, Manhattan was locked up tight last night to incoming traffic right through to this morning. Unless you were a military or police officer IN UNIFORM, you weren't getting in. Not by car, train or foot.

So I still haven't seen The Poopster (first night we've ever been separated).

The trains are now running -- one of my employees got into Manhattan successfully by train -- and I'm now trying to figure out if I can get in by car.

The information is frustratingly contradictory. I heard that all bridges and tunnels were open in all directions (except the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel), but now I'm hearing that the GW Bridge (which I was going to take) is only accessible from certain approaches and not others.

I'd prefer to drive if it's feasible, but I can't seem to get a definitive answer on what my best route will be (Turnpike north to GWB would be preferable or either tunnel would be fine. Staten Island -> Brooklyn -> Manhattan is more of a pain, but I'd do it if I knew it would work.)

Does anyone have any first hand experience driving into Manhattan from NJ today? Can I take the Turnpike up to the bridge and actually get in?

P.S. We're all fine. I've been fortunate not to have had to deal with the "how to tell your kids" issue. The Poopster has no idea that anything is wrong -- my husband tells me that he had lots of fun yesterday, giggling and running around at the prayer vigil at our synagogue last night. (Poopster is just shy of 16 months old, so he can be excused for his apparent emotional insensitivity in the face of tragedy.)

Miraculously, none of my employees, family or closest friends seems to have lost anyone very close to them -- though as time passes, many of us will undoubtedly start to get bad news about acquaintances.

[hypotenuse]

Have you thought of letting them come to you? Just so that y'all could be together.

Ok. My geography has never been wonderful and I'm about to exhibit a glaring example. Guess that's what friends are for.

But!

I saw where NYC is closed to everyone from 14th on. 14th what, I don't know. Which way from 14th, I don't know.

That's my insider information for today.

Lynne

[taurusmoon]

From the NY1 News website:



The Lincoln and Holland Tunnels are closed.
The upper level of the George Washington Bridge is open in both directions.
The Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel are closed.
The Manhattan Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge are open only to pedestrians leaving Manhattan.
The Bayonne and Goethals Bridges and the Outerbrdige Crossings are open in both directions.
The Throgsneck and Whitestone Bridges are open in both directions.
The Triborough Bridge is closed Manhattan-bound.
The Queensborough Bridge and Queens-Midtown Tunnel are open in both directions.
Harlem River crossings are closed Manhattan-bound.
Lanes on the Verazzano Bridge are open, except Brooklyn-bound on the upper level.


Sara

[mjfrombuffalo[$]]

Everything south of 14th street is closed (I'm on 14th and they will NOT let anyone through). I've heard the Tappan Zee is open, the George Washington was open for a while, not sure if it's up and running now.

[Kelamandasmom]

Hey,

As far as I know (hubby is a manager of a warehouse directing his truck drivers all over the city) most of everything, with the exception of the tunnels, is now open. They are of course searching any suspicious vechiles.

You can go to www.newschannel4.com for more info. They have up to the minute traffic, cams, etc.

Also, 1010wins.com has info on traffic.

Hope you get home soon, NYC is a ghosttown!

Kelly
Kelamandasmom

[theeye]

Originally posted by hypotenuse
Have you thought of letting them come to you? Just so that y'all could be together.

Yes, actually, I briefly contemplated this possibility and immediately dismissed it. I can handle roughing it out here for a day or two, but I don't want my son to be stuck away from home with no way of getting back.

It's clear that one way or another I'll be able to get in today. I could take the train if need be.

Ok. My geography has never been wonderful and I'm about to exhibit a glaring example. Guess that's what friends are for.

But!

I saw where NYC is closed to everyone from 14th on. 14th what, I don't know. Which way from 14th, I don't know.

That's my insider information for today.

Lynne

I see you are not a NY-er. It's 14th Street. NYC is closed below (that's "south" to you out-of-towners) 14th Street: in other words, lower Manhattan. The WTC was located at the tip of Manhattan.

Above 14th Street (the street numbers go up when you head north) is the bulk of the island.

[theeye]

Thanks, guys. I've seen on several sites that the GWB is open both ways, BUT a couple of sites say it is not accessible from the Turnpike.

I think what I'm going to try to do is take Rte 1/9 north and see if I can get on the bridge that way.

And if not ... I've got a full tank of gas (which was priced at pre-disaster levels when I bought it last night), so I'll be able to experiment with other routes.

I am EXTREMELY glad that they didn't succeed in bombing the bridge (does anyone know if the rumor of the truck loaded with explosives on the GWB was ever confirmed)?

[theeye]

The 1010Wins.com site, which was until just a little while ago claiming that Turnpike access to the GWB was closed, now says that access has been reestablished.

So I should have a solid (if slow) route. I'm going to head off to try to get home now.

It will probably take quite a while: there are a lot of NYers stranded in NJ. Apparently a lot of the lower Manhattan folks escaped onto ferries to Weehauken (sp?) and then ended up stuck in NJ with no way to get back (and, in some cases, no money if they raced out without grabbing purses/wallets).

[jaxmom28]

Good luck. I hope you make it home to your loved ones safely and soon.

[taurusmoon]

Traffic reports are indicating 20-25 minute delays inbound on the GW Bridge.

Better than usual.

Have a safe trip home.

Sara

[Kelamandasmom]

And his 2 drivers in Jersey are saying that the roads are dead. They are pretty much bare here in Queens as well. I think people are just staying home. Good luck
Kelly
kelamandasmom

[theeye]

The Upper West Side looks just like it always has -- and a beautiful sight it is!

Thanks so much for all your help -- especially kelamandasmom who emailed me with an extraordinarily generous offer of help, which fortunately I didn't need.

The only thing I need to complete the picture is for my nanny and son to come home from their walk so I can give him a really big hug.

[hypotenuse]

[soxfan[$]]

Glad to hear it. :whew:

Ailsa

[jnbmoore]

YEAH

Glad you are home!!!

[theeye]

Poopster just got a double quota of hugs and kisses.

I can imagine! I'm sure his mom got a double quota too!