Transiting East River

[livbysea]

greetings,

planning transit from City Island or environs to Sandy Hook - but understand West Side of Roosevelt Island was closed last week. Was that b/c of UN meetings - or still in effect?? We gather there are no bridges on the west side, but will have to wait for bridges on the East. Appreciate advice and local knowledge. thanks

[sveinung]

The East River closure should be over as the UN meetings are over. Looks like east-most section was opened on 9/21, and half of the west section on 9/23, you should be good to go as long as you stay out of section 1 in this image.

Post an update if you head down, considering making the same trip this weekend.

https://content.govdelivery.com/acco...letins/1b752b4

[livbysea]

Originally Posted by livbysea

greetings,

planning transit from City Island or environs to Sandy Hook - but understand West Side of Roosevelt Island was closed last week. Was that b/c of UN meetings - or still in effect?? We gather there are no bridges on the west side, but will have to wait for bridges on the East. Appreciate advice and local knowledge. thanks

thanks - we won't be there until early oct - so I don't think we'll be much help....

[hellosailor]

I think someone has gone a little fascist about UN security. Zone1 is nothing new but closing the river...WTF?

What is really upsetting is seeing the USCG patrol craft with crew manning the twin machine guns pointed AT Manhattan. I think someone forgot to tell them, heavy caliber machine guns will cause collateral damage in past Second Avenue...there's just no way that armed presence is appropriate.

And even if this comes from the FBI or Secret Service, they need to be reminded that IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE TO CLOSE THE RIVER. If things are that dangerous, then the UN needs to find another place to meet.

What next, we close and evacuate the entire city, just in case someone might set off a dirty bomb at the UN? (Yes, the FDNY and OEM have both studied that in detail.)

[Peregrine1983]

The entire east river was closed to traffic? Are we sure? Thought there was just a perimeter - similar to what's around the Statue of Liberty.

[Delancey]

As a New Yorker all I can say is, machine guns? Meh.

Pretty much normal everyday stuff since 9/11 when armed soldiers in Humvees closed all the bridges to vehicle traffic. What the Coasties have is the M249 that shoots a 5.56mm round.

Not exactly a .50cal. They will shoot through walls or car doors but not all the way through several city blocks of buildings to 2nd Ave. There's cops all over the city with M4s that shoot the exact same round. Army guys at some of the subway stations too. No big deal.

I wouldn't worry about it. It's not a Trump thing, started with Bush, then Obama. Can you believe it's been like sixteen years? I would worry more if they didn't have them.

[livbysea]

Originally Posted by Peregrine1983

The entire east river was closed to traffic? Are we sure? Thought there was just a perimeter - similar to what's around the Statue of Liberty.

I believe just the side next to UN - issue was which side to go on - and UN side avoids waiting for bridges to open

cheers, livbysea

[Delancey]

Originally Posted by livbysea

I believe just the side next to UN - issue was which side to go on - and UN side avoids waiting for bridges to open

cheers, livbysea

Go down the west side. The Roosevelt Island Brige on the east side of Roosevelt Island requires two hour advanced notice.

[livbysea]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Go down the west side. The Roosevelt Island Brige on the east side of Roosevelt Island requires two hour advanced notice.

thanks - that's why I was asking about the closure -

seems west side is back open. thanks, livbysea

[CaptNemoO2]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Go down the west side. The Roosevelt Island Brige on the east side of Roosevelt Island requires two hour advanced notice.

Originally Posted by livbysea

thanks - that's why I was asking about the closure -

seems west side is back open. thanks, livbysea

Several years ago, my dad was coming back from a cruise in the sound on his boat, a Catalina 42. CG stopped him by Rikers and told him the west side was closed and he had to go down the east side of Roosevelt Island. They had a bridge operator on stand by, but it's no joke to go that way if the bridge isn't open. My dad told the CG he's not going down that side unless the bridge is fully open before he got to the fork in the channel. Peak current is right there, you have to commit to one side or the other. There's no turning back. CG said ok, and if not they'll escort him down the west side. The bridge was open and he passed under it making about 12 knots SOG. The bridge tender asked for his air draft and made sure he had just enough.

They do list the closure well in advance in the LNM.