dpMANHATTAN, New York (WABC) — Commuters traveling through Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday are being urged to plan ahead as World Cup transportation operations ramp up for the France-Senegal match at MetLife Stadium.
Officials warn the combination of weekday rush-hour traffic, street closures, vehicle restrictions and thousands of soccer fans heading to New Jersey could create major delays throughout the day.
West 42nd Street will be restricted to FIFA vehicles and buses transporting fans to MetLife Stadium until 8 p.m.. Streets east of Madison Square Garden will also be closed as hundreds of standby buses are staged in the area.
Officials said 530 contracted buses will be positioned near Penn Station and can be deployed if transit issues arise.
For fans attending the match, officials continue to recommend NJ Transit as the fastest and most reliable way to reach the stadium. Starting four hours before kickoff, at 11 a.m., World Cup ticket holders can access a dedicated NJ Transit entrance at Penn Station from Sixth and Seventh avenues.
Another transportation option, buses operated by the New York/New Jersey Host Committee, has already sold out. Organizers said all 12,000 available seats were reserved ahead of the match.
Commuters should know that access on the following corridors and lanes will be limited to NYNJ Stadium shuttle buses, MTA local buses, Official World Cup affiliate vehicles and emergency vehicles:
- 42nd Street from First Avenue to Twelfth Avenue.
- Two lanes along Sixth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street.
- Two lanes along Fifth Avenue from 42nd Street to 59th Street.
- West 40th Street between 8th Avenue and 11th Avenue.
- West 41st Street between 8th Avenue and 10th Avenue.
Also note: 33rd Street between 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue and 32nd Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue will reopen after 3 p.m. 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue will reopen after 8 p.m.
Some commuters said they are changing their plans to avoid potential congestion.
“I will work from home and our company has allowed for that, to work remotely for those days,” said Laura Rugarber, an NJ Transit commuter.
Others said they are willing to spend more money to avoid crowded trains.
“I may drive until the last goal is made. I’d rather pay the Verrazzano toll than take New Jersey Transit,” said commuter Lamel Clark.
Drivers can park at American Dream, though parking is limited and costs $225 per vehicle.
Ride-share company Uber is also encouraging fans to use public transit after transportation operations were overwhelmed during previous events. Individual vehicles are not permitted to approach MetLife Stadium on match days. Uber is offering a $49 shuttle service for fans traveling to and from the game.
Officials are encouraging both commuters and fans to leave extra travel time Tuesday as World Cup crowds are expected to pack the region.
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