Traffic to expect this Saturday around noon going through the Holland Tunnel? (Harrison: hotel)
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I'm traveling to NYC this Saturday and I expect to get to the tunnel around noon. Just curious about the type of traffic I might be dealing with. I'd like to get to my lower Manhattan hotel by 2:00-3:00pm. It's also been mentioned to me to take the Path train from Jersey City into the city which I assume would bypass a lot of that traffic but I'd prefer to have my vehicle close by in the city.
Well due to Construction on the Jersey City , which is worse on Weekends you can be sitting there for 1-2hrs.... So the PATH train which you can park in Harrison,NJ and take that would avoid most of the construction and traffic...
Are you saying I might run into this type of traffic going through the Holland Tunnel and/or going to a Path station in Jersey City? Thanks
No , the PATH station were you park is in Harrison,NJ just off I-280 which you would avoid all the construction and grid lock that occurs around this time of year. And yes you'll run into congestion getting to the Holland , every Highway in Jersey City is under construction reduced to 1 lane in some areas...
At noon, the trip through either tunnel may not be too difficult, but do check traffic reports as you are on the approach. If the Holland has extensive delays, then I would head for the Lincoln as you can usually get downtown rather easily from the Lincoln at that time of day. Is it possible for you to get to the tunnel a tad earlier? Earlier in the day on a weekend can make a difference with respect to traffic delays in the area. One reason that the Holland may be problematic is the approach, where you would have to contend not only with the stoplights, but the Newport Centre traffic which tends to magnify delays in the area. Another benefit to planning a slightly earlier crossing is that you would qualify for the off-peak toll rate via EZ Pass. If you don't have any EZ Pass, but are coming from a state that has them, get one before the trip.
Once into the tunnel, traffic can flow, but that depends upon the Manhattan side of the tunnel, as there are days when you inch through the tunnel, and others when you can drive through without any difficulty. You do not have to contend with shopping malls on the Manhattah side, but the streets are smaller, have stoplights, and there will be more pedestrians. Unless there is a major event/festival/etc. in Manhattan, specifically Lower Manhattan, the Holland should not be adversely affected by abnormal traffic in the area.
My best advice, as a driver, is to plan on a late breakfast/brunch/lunch on Saturday in Manhattan at a great place so that you are through the tunnel by 11, even if your hotel is not ready until 2-3pm. If garaging at the hotel, you can have the bell captain hold your luggage, valet your car, have a good meal, and be refreshed, rather than dealing with the mind-numbing stop-and-go traffic that can plague the Hudson crossings on heavy travel days. Basically NYC is in season again from Thanksgiving to Christmas, though it's not as bad earlier in the holiday season as the public displays are not in full force, combined with seasonal shows, etc., but it will be a bit busier than a regular Saturday.
ETA: One thing to remember in Manhattan, especially by the tunnels, is do not enter the intersection if you cannot clear it entirely during a light cycle. If you enter the intersection, and the light changes, you will get a hefty ticket, and traffic officers seemingly appear out of the ether around the tunnels. Some intersections are marked with a box, but not all are, so watch the lights, and space requirements for your car.
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Noon on a Saturday should not be a problem getting thought the Tunnel.
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