Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Sandy

Gas Station Gridlock Snares Buses, NYPD Resources in Washington Heights

A line for gas occupied one lane of Broadway for blocks, and caused gridlock for several more. Photos: Brad Aaron

If yellow cabs and livery cabs can't get gas, that's a problem, especially when train service is limited and buses are packed. But many of the cars in this line, which clogged one lane of Broadway from 168th to 174th Street in Washington Heights this afternoon, were private vehicles.

An M3 tries to merge onto Broadway north of 168th Street.

I counted 11 NYPD personnel, including auxiliary officers and TEAs, assigned to this mess. In addition to occupying a traffic lane -- most drivers were parked, engines off -- the line kept buses from moving and forced passengers to wade into the street to board.

Bus passengers wait next to the gas lane.

At the gas station, on Broadway at 174th, five TEAs assumed the role of service station attendants, directing drivers to gas pumps.

A TEA directs a livery cab driver to a gas pump.

In other news from Upper Manhattan, buses were standing room only today, while this afternoon ridership was normal to light on the 1 train. There was a report on Twitter this morning that NYPD was enforcing the HOV-3 restriction on vehicles entering the Henry Hudson Parkway from Riverside Drive at Dyckman Street, presumably to catch drivers attempting to dodge the rule by using the Harlem River bridges. We'll try to verify that tomorrow.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts