Intermittent Roosevelt Island Bridge Openings And Closings This Week As East River Boat Traffic Diverted To East Channel During 2025 UN General Assembly Week
RIOC Says Traffic Delays May Occur, Extra Security Precautions In Effect With Coast Guard And NYPD Gunboats In East River Near RI Too
It’s that time of the year again, the beginning of 2025 United Nations General Assembly week from September 22-30 with extra security precautions in effect for NYC.
As world leaders arrive for the UN General Assembly, we’re not just securing our streets, but also our harbors.
From our boats to our divers, the Harbor Unit has the waterways locked down, keeping NYC safe around the clock. pic.twitter.com/OhoRYd7f2C
For Roosevelt Island, there will be intermittent closings of the Roosevelt Island bridge as East River traffic is diverted from the West Channel to the East Channel
Photo via US Coast Guard News
and Coast Guard Gunboats are patrolling the East River near Roosevelt Island.
From September 21 – 27, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard will be enforcing Security Zones on the East River near the United Nations Headquarters, and near the Wall Street Heliport. The East River Security Zones encompass all waters of the East River between East 36th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge and are portioned into three distinct zones (Zones 1- 3)….
… Roosevelt Island Bridge Openings: Vessels that require opening of the Roosevelt Island Bridge must contact the bridge tender at least 15 minutes in advance by phone (646) 899-0441, from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm or via VHF-FM CH 13.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) reports:
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will take place from Sun, 9/21 thru Sat, 9/27. Due to necessary changes in marine traffic, during this time, the RI Bridge will open on demand from 6 AM to 8 PM. Bridge openings will take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes to be completed and some delays may occur. Please keep this in mind when planning your vehicular travel next week.
RIOC Communications Department Director Bryant Daniels adds that an ambulance will be stationed on Roosevelt Island during UN General Assembly Week for emergencies.
Roosevelt Island traffic delays caused by the Roosevelt Island Bridge openings could look this this as shown in 2021 video.
… Roosevelt Island residents have expressed concern about the Roosevelt Island Bridge being closed preventing emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks from getting on and off Roosevelt Island.
RIOC Public Safety Department Chief Kevin Brown tried to lessen those concerns by reporting during the September 19, Community Engagement meeting that an EMS ambulance truck, FDNY and NYPD personnel will be stationed on Roosevelt Island during UN General Assembly Week. Chief Brown said the bridge could open and close 10-15 times a day this week. Here’s what he said…
East River Keeper shows us the closing of the West Channel has begun.
