A portion of midtown Manhattan will be closed off on Friday as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce celebrate their wedding at Madison Square Garden, creating even more challenges for commuters amid record-high temperatures.
Long before the official road closures were set to begin at 1 p.m., both pedestrians and drivers were already facing barriers and detours.
With a VIP guest list, ordinary New Yorkers and tourists can expect significant disruptions around MSG, which will affect the nearby Penn Station as well. It’s likely to endure a day filled with delays and cancellations, with the extreme heat adding an extra layer of strain on the train systems.
As announced by the New York City Police Department, several streets will be off-limits to vehicles starting at 1 p.m.:
- 7th Avenue between 30th and 34th Streets
- West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
- West 32nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
- West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
- West 31st Street between 7th and 8th Avenues
Additionally, parts of Seventh Avenue and West 33rd Street will be off-limits to pedestrians as well.
Restricted access will also apply in certain areas:
- East side of 8th Avenue, between 30th and 34th Streets
- West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
- West 32nd Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
- West 31st Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
Travelers are advised to use the Moynihan Station entrance on the west side of Eighth Avenue to access Penn Station and other train services.
Access to Penn Station itself will remain available at the northeast corner of 8th Avenue and 31st Street.
The wedding festivities kicked off with a lively rehearsal dinner. It’s hard to believe, but temperatures on this day could once again hit the triple digits.
The blistering heat has already been impacting the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s equipment, causing lengthy delays at Penn Station and making commuting a real struggle. Unfortunately, these issues are expected to persist on Friday.
“Due to extreme temperatures, rail service will continue with some delays and cancellations expected through the end of the service day today,” noted the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
They also advised customers to avoid non-essential travel.
While the Long Island Railroad is set to operate as usual, access is limited. Travelers should enter through the 34th Street and 7th Avenue entrances. It might be wiser to consider traveling from Brooklyn’s Grand Central Terminal or Atlantic Terminal instead.
Swift’s choice to host her wedding at such a prominent venue, especially over the Fourth of July weekend, has sparked some backlash.
“It’s unbelievable that someone so wealthy could disrupt one of the busiest train stations in the Western Hemisphere simply on a whim before a holiday,” remarked one individual.
Another questioned, “Why is Taylor Swift permitted to shut down parts of New York City?”
In contrast, someone humorously pointed out that a couple who climbed the Empire State Building only managed to shut down one block.
Compounding these travel difficulties are the upcoming 250th Independence Day celebrations and a high-profile World Cup match between Brazil and Norway scheduled for this Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
