The Holidays are just around the corner and so is DOT’s holiday construction embargo. Let’s keep in mind a few reminders. During this time roadways and sidewalk constructions are prohibited on some roads all over the city and only projects with the ‘410’ permit stipulation will be allowed to continue construction as well as those who were granted a special waiver by the DOT’s Office of Construction Mitigation and Coordination (OCMC) to allow them to continue with their construction. The embargo takes effect on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 6:00am to 11:59pm, then takes a break over the weekend and resumes on Monday, November 21, 2016 from 6:00am and goes on until 11:59pm on Monday, January 2, 2017.

It should be also noted that prior to the embargo measures must be taken to ensure that roads are in proper order so that all traffic (vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian) are allowed to pass thru safely and expeditiously. It must also be noted that utility access covers are prohibited from being opened during embargo hours (6:00am to 12:00mn) unless during emergency cases and the contractor/utility is able to procure an Emergency Authorization Number, this is required by section 2-07 of the Department’s Highway Rules. Access covers can be opened without needing any authorization number from 12:01am to 5:59am.

Citywide Highways and East and Harlem River Bridge Crossings
It should also be noted that during the embargo lane closures are prohibited from 6:00am to midnight on citywide highways and their service roads as well as the East and Harlem River Bridge Crossings on all holiday season gridlock alert days as noted below. Although work behind permanent barriers that doesn’t impact vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic may proceed.

Holiday Season Gridlock Alert Days

• November 18 (Friday)
• November 23 (Wednesday)
• November 30 (Wednesday)
• December 9 (Friday)
• December 14 (Wednesday)
• December 15 (Thursday)
• December 16 (Friday)
• December 21 (Wednesday)
• December 22 (Thursday)
• December 23 (Friday)