NYC Street Closures Pope Visit: How To Avoid City Traffic With Interactive Map

As hundreds of people flock to New York City in an attempt to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis, New Yorkers can expect street restrictions and road closures in Manhattan beginning Thursday and ending Saturday. His Holiness has a jam-packed itinerary of religious services, appearances and meetings all over the city, from East Harlem to Central Park.

The Upper East Side will be largely affected by the papal visit, and streets will face periodic interruptions in flow of traffic or activities from 70th Street to 74th Street between Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue starting Thursday and ending Saturday. During Pope Francis' time in New York City, traffic restrictions and street closures for several locations on FDR Drive from Thursday to Saturday will also occur.

When the pope arrives to New York City Thursday, several streets in Midtown will be restricted periodically due to his visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but the majority of street and traffic restrictions will occur Friday. There will be traffic restrictions in Midtown Friday morning because of the pope's visit to the United Nations, as well as in the Financial District amid Pope Francis’ scheduled service at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, which will take place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.. Pope Francis is also scheduled to visit a private Catholic school in East Harlem from 4 p.m. until 5:15 p.m. on Friday, and numerous streets in that area will be affected throughout the day.

The papal procession through Central Park in New York City on Friday from 5 p.m.to 7 p.m. will also result in several traffic restrictions throughout the day, according to a press release. The park will remain open to the public, but access between West Drive and Central Park West from 81st Street to 59th Street-Columbus Circle will be limited to ticketed guests. Pope Francis is then scheduled to celebrate Mass at roughly 6 p.m. Friday at Madison Square Garden, and there will be traffic restrictions in that area as well throughout the day.

Below is an interactive map of the pope traffic blocks. Hover over the lines to view what times those streets will be closed, and hover a particular area, such as Madison Square Garden or the United Nations, to get details about tickets and invitations. Zoom in on the map for additional information. Building occupants and employees in all affected areas are encouraged to carry identification at all times.