The New York City Police Department has informed the Times Square Business Improvement District (TS-BID) that theatre patrons should expect severe traffic delays Thurs., Oct. 7 when President Bill Clinton makes a day-long visit to the Times Square area.

President Clinton's stops include the Sheraton New York Hotel on Seventh Avenue at 2 PM, followed by a 5 PM visit to the Health and Hospital Care Workers Union/Local 1199, located on West 43rd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. The President should leave the Times Square area sometime after 8 PM.

The TS-BID warned its constituency to "expect severe traffic delays on Seventh Avenue near the Sheraton Hotel and on Eighth Avenue from West 53rd Street to West 42nd Street."

A source at TS-BID said that while street closures are scheduled for 1:30 PM, delays may begin earlier if street closures and security preparations demand it.

-- By Murdoch McBride