Holiday traffic and back-to-back games

Sunday, Sept. 25 – Saturday Oct. 1

ALTERNATE SIDE PARKING RULES ARE SUSPENDED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOR ROSH HASHANAH

There are back-to-back NFL games at the Meadowlands Sunday and Monday as the Jets take on the Bengals Sunday at 1 p.m. and the Giants face arch-rival Cowboys Monday at 8 p.m. Sunday’s post-game traffic will conflict with Rosh Hashanah traffic starting at 4 p.m.; allow extra time if you’re crossing the Hudson River from N.J. so you don’t miss candle lighting at 6:30 p.m. Monday evening’s traffic won’t be that bad even with the Giants game since a lot of people take off for the Jewish New Year. Still, avoid the Lincoln Tunnel and George Washington Bridge at around 6 p.m.

Football isn’t the only sport in town, believe it or not pre-season hockey starts Monday. It’ll be the city versus the suburbs as the Rangers and the Islanders square off for a preseason game at 7 p.m. at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers then host the Devils on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Baseball continues to be exciting with both the Yankees and Mets eager to start the playoffs. Sunday, the Aaron Judge watch continues at Yankee Stadium as the bombers take on Boston at 7 p.m. The Marlins greet the Mets on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m.

At Madison Square Garden, Ben Platt takes to the stage on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The Pet Shop Boys and New Order perform Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Over at Radio City, Il Volo will be performing on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Carly Rae Jepsen headlines on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

MAILBAG

Dear Gridlock Sam,

Why do emergency vehicles go east from 5th Ave. across 12th St. and get stuck in traffic, when all they have to do is go north on either 5th or University to 14th and then go east? Emergency vehicles are legally allowed to go the opposite way on a one-way street.

Sara

Dear Sara,

Emergency response time has worsened this year with more traffic than ever, as reported last week by the mayor’s office (another reason I support congestion pricing). 14th St. is a transit street and much faster, as you point out, than any of the adjacent side streets.

Nonetheless, if an emergency vehicle is already on 12th St. I would not advise heading north on 5th (which is one-way southbound) because the risk of a crash is high when emergency vehicles go against traffic. At University Place it does make sense. Lots of emergency personnel read Gridlock Sam, so let this serve as a reminder.

Gridlock Sam