9/11 Memorial Events Trigger Road Closures Nationwide, Not Just in NYC
Truck drivers traveling through New York City and other areas should expect temporary road closures, security restrictions and traffic delays on Friday, Sept. 11, as communities mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Officials are advising motorists to check state 511 systems and Department of Transportation closure updates before beginning a trip.
Lower Manhattan closures and security measures
Family members of those killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing are scheduled to gather at the 9/11 Memorial plaza for the annual commemoration ceremony. The event will include the reading of victims’ names and several moments of silence.
A new seventh moment of silence will recognize people who later died from illnesses linked to toxic exposure at the World Trade Center site.
Several streets in Lower Manhattan will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians during the ceremony. The New York City Police Department is expected to deploy additional officers from the morning through the evening, while the U.S. Secret Service will install a security fence along the east side of the West Side Highway and around the perimeter of the 9/11 Memorial.
Drivers should expect extensive security perimeters, restricted access and delays near the memorial and surrounding roadways.
Tribute in Light scheduled overnight
The Tribute in Light is scheduled to operate from dusk on Sept. 11 until dawn on Sept. 12, weather and operating conditions permitting. Additional closures or traffic controls may remain in effect while security operations and memorial events are conducted.
Separate Del Rio ceremony
A separate memorial ceremony at the Del Rio International Bridge is also expected to affect traffic for approximately one hour Friday morning. The crossing is restricted to noncommercial traffic, so the event is not expected to directly affect commercial truck traffic at that bridge.
Truckers operating near memorial events or through affected urban corridors should monitor state 511 services and DOT road-closure notices for changing conditions. Restrictions may be imposed in areas beyond the primary ceremony locations as officials honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks.
