TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) — Preparations are in full swing as thousands head to Times Square to welcome 2023.
Security is a huge focus and there will be street closures for entry points and screening:
The following streets will be utilized for entry points and screening:
38th Street : 6th & 8th Avenues (for pens South of 41st Street)
49th Street : 6th & 8th Avenues
52nd Street : 6th & 8th Avenues
56th Street : 6th & 8th Avenues
There will be no parking in the following areas from Saturday, December 31st at 12:01 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 1st :
All cross-town streets from 33rd to 59th Street between 6th and 8th Avenue
West side of 5th Avenue, from 37th to 52nd Streets
West side of 6th Avenue, from 34th to 59th Streets
Both side of 6th Avenue, from 37th to 52nd Streets
Broadway between 37th to 59th Streets
7th Avenue between 37th to 59th Streets
9th Avenue between 41st to 43rd Streets
Both sides of 11th Avenue, from 34th to 39th Streets
Both side of 8th Avenue from 37th to 59th Streets
34th Street between 11th to 12th Avenues
37th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
38th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
39th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
40th Street between 5th to 9th Avenue
41st Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
42nd Street between 1st to 2nd
42nd Street between 5th and 9th Avenue
43rd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
44th Street between 6th to 9th Avenue
45th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
46th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
47th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
48th Street between 5th and 9th Avenue
49th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
50th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
Both side of 51st from 6th to 8th Avenue
52nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
53rd Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
54th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
55th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
56th Street between 6th to 8th Avenue
57th Street between 5th to 9th Avenue
At approximately 4 a.m. on Saturday, December 31st, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:
Seventh Avenue, from 42nd to 49th Streets
Broadway, from 42nd to 49th Streets
43rd to 48th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues
Note: Managed access 49th to 56th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues
At approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 31st, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:
Southbound 7th Ave & Broadway from 38th to 59th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues
38th to 56th Streets, from Sixth to Eighth Avenues
Beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 31st, commercial vehicles, trucks and other large vehicles will not be able to access:
North on 6th Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
North on 8th Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
East of 9th Avenue from 37th Street to 59th Street
West of 5th Avenue from 35th Street to 59th Street
On Saturday, December 31st, the remainder of the traffic closures will be instituted as conditions warrant:
All cross-town streets from 37th to 56th Streets – Sixth to Eighth Avenues (approximately 11 a.m.)
48th Street, from Fifth to Ninth Avenues
Cross-town access for emergency vehicles will be available on 42nd, 48th, and 59th Streets
People are strongly advised to use public transportation. On-street parking will be extremely limited in the Midtown area. People should avoid all cross-town streets from
34th to 59th Streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth Avenues. The Department will continue its drunken driving enforcement on New Year’s Eve through DWI patrols and checkpoints throughout the City.
TRANSIT INFORMATION
Beginning at 4 a.m. on Saturday, December 31st, some subway access around Times Square will be closed. The following subway system changes should be noted:
47th Street and Broadway subway egress beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday, December 31st until approximately 12:15 a.m., Sunday, January 1st.
42nd Street and 7th Avenue subway egress beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 31st until approximately 12:15 a.m., Sunday, January 1st.
Southbound and northbound N/R/W lines will bypass the 49th Street station beginning at noon, Saturday, December 31st until approximately 12:15 a.m., Sunday, January 1st.
The northbound IRT “#1” train will bypass the 50th Street station beginning at noon, Saturday, December 31st until approximately 12:15 a.m., Sunday, January 1st.
Security conversations will take place on Friday. At this point, the NYPD says there is no credible threat.
However, they will discuss guns, law enforcement presence, and street closures.
Streets will be impacted between 38th and 56th Streets between 6th through 8th Avenues. Closures start on Saturday.
On Friday, people can see the illuminated New Year’s Eve ball. There will be a ball drop test to make sure it’s good to go for this weekend.
The ball is capable of displaying more than 16 million vibrant colors and goes up a 130-foot pole.
For the first time in two years, there will be absolutely no restrictions on this party.
NEW YEARS: ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ 2023: How to watch and what to expect
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2022 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
