Expand / Collapse search
☰

Travel ban lifted in New York City

Published  January 25, 2016 2:37pm EST
New York
FOX 5 New York

New York City lifted a travel ban at 7 a.m. on Sunday.

"We continue to urge New Yorkers not to travel unless necessary," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "Our  plows will still be clearing the streets, and we must keep the streets passable for emergency vehicles."

Alternate side parking regulations were suspended through Friday in the city.  The mayor asked residents to not dig their cars out unless they needed to use them for an emergency.  He added that snow should not be thrown into the road when digging out a car.

Gov. Cuomo had banned all travel in New York City because of the massive snowstorm that could dump 30" of snow on the city by the time it is over.

Cuomo announced a ban on roads in all of lower New York State. Port Authority bridges and tunnels into New York City were also closed.  The travel ban started at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The ban included Long Island highways.

The governor warned that if you are caught on the road during a ban you could face a large fine or arrest.

"We will arrest them if needed," Mayor Bill de Blasio said about any drivers still on the road during the ban.  On Sunday the NYPD said they did not have to arrest anyone but they did issue several summonses.

MTA bus service was canceled at noon.  Above ground train service was shut down at 4 p.m. in New York City.  The shutdown included Long Island Railroad and Metro-North trains. The MTA said subways lines that only operate underground were expected to remain in service.

Service was expected to resume on most outdoor subway lines by 9 a.m. on Sunday.  Metro-North was set to resume service at noon.  Long Island Railroad was expected to remain suspended much longer.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said the storm will probably be in the top five snowstorms in the city's history.  He asked Broadway to cancel Saturday shows and asked restaurants to close and send employees home.  Broadway shows were later canceled but many restaurants in Manhattan remained open.

Gov. Chris Christie urged New Jersey residents to stay home so crews could continue their efforts to clear the state's roadways.  The speed limit on the entire length of the New Jersey Turnpike was dropped to 35 MPH.  He said there was no need for a ban on travel because people were using their common sense and staying off the roads anyway.