Verrazzano to Close Sunday for Marathon

By Hamodia Staff

NEW YORK — The Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge will be closed to all vehicular traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, for the New York City Marathon.

The upper level of the bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions beginning Saturday at 11:00 p.m. to allow for roadway preparation. Over-dimensional vehicles and vehicles containing hazardous materials will not be permitted to cross the bridge in either direction once that closure takes place. The Bay Street and Lily Pond Avenue exits on Staten Island will close at 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, and reopen at approximately 4:00 p.m. 

Motorists can call the Verrazzano-Narrows Marathon Traffic Hotline at (718) 692-5656 to hear information about the closures. 

“The MTA is so excited to have our iconic Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as the start of this race, and all of our employees are excited to support this event,” said MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan. “Our message to runners and spectators is to take mass transit. It’s the best way to get to the race.” 

On race day, runners traveling directly to Staten Island by ferry during the early morning hours can take the  subway to South Ferry, the downtown  to Whitehall St station, or the 4 to Bowling Green station, then walk to the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. Uptown  riders traveling to South Ferry should transfer at Atlantic Av-Barclays Center for the  to Bowling Green station, then walk to the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. Shuttle buses will transport runners directly from the ferry terminal to School Road at Bay Street on Staten Island. 

NYC Transit will be running gap train service on the  line to assist with crowding at 72 St, 66 St, and 59 St stations in the vicinity of the finish line. The gap train will run between 96 St and South Ferry depending on service needs. 

To ensure customers are able to travel to and from the race smoothly and safely, platform controllers will be deployed at stations surrounding the finishing area and other high priority viewing points, such as Queensboro Plaza and Lexington Av/59 St. In order to prevent overcrowding on stairways and platforms at subway stations, some stairways may be designated as “entrance or exit only.” 

New York City Transit will stay in contact with the New York Road Runners Club, sharing information regarding any street closures and/or bus diversions that may arise. The Central Park Transverse Roads at 65th, 79th and 96th streets will be closed for most of the day and buses will not be permitted to cross Fifth Avenue during the race. Numerous other bus diversions will take place along the marathon route across the city. 

People can check mta.info for any last-minute subway or bus diversion details as the race progresses.