The NYPD and the Times Square Business Improvement District (TS-BID) have issued an alert concerning pedestrian and traffic delays expected Jan. 19 during the Wed. afternoon matinee rush.
The NYPD says that from 3 PM - 11 PM, one southbound lane of traffic on the west side of Broadway between West 43rd Street and West 46th Street will be closed to traffic.
The closure allows celebrity guests to arrive curbside for the grand opening of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) restaurant on Broadway and West 43rd Street in Times Square.
As VIP guests arrive, the police say, the westerly sidewalk on Broadway from West 43rd Street to West 44th Street will also be closed, from approximately 5 PM - 7:15 PM.
In addition, several of the same celebrity/VIP guests (including music acts The Rock, Road Dog Jesse James and Bad Ass Billy Gun) will be appearing Jan. 19 at the MTV Studio (Broadway between W. 44th Street and West. 45th Street) from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM. MTV's studio at Broadway and West 45th Street is visible from the street below and can often draw its own substantial crowd. Due to the large number of fans expected to be on hand, the NYPD expects vehicle and pedestrian traffic delays.
Theatre patrons may wish to adjust their travel plans accordingly, especially in light of Wednesday's normally busy matinee traffic.
-- By Murdoch McBride
