Heavy traffic and delays are expected in Midtown as the United Nations General Assembly's high-level week begins.

UN General Assembly.Photo byJason LeungonUnsplash

If you work or live on the east side of Manhattan, be prepared for road closures, detours, and heavy traffic.

Barricades and checkpoints were set up throughout the night in preparation for the arrival of over 140 presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs to New York City to discuss subjects such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and the crises in Gaza and Ukraine.

Closed/Controlled Access Streets

As per the NYPD, the following streets are closed

1. Upper Highway 1st Avenue is closed, with controlled access from 42nd Street to 49th Street. Only MTA buses and passenger cars can use the bottom roadway, the 1st Avenue tunnel.
2. With controlled access, 42nd Street was closed between the FDR and 2nd Avenue. (Only westbound traffic will be able to access the FDR 42nd Street exit ramp after 1900 hours.)
3. 43rd Street, situated between First and Second Avenues.
4. 44th Street between First and Second Avenues.
5. 45th Street between First and Second Avenues.
6. 46th Street between First and Second Avenues.
7. 48th Street, between FDR and First Avenue.