Big events bring heavy traffic to Long Island this holiday weekend
World Cup watch parties, the U.S. Open, Juneteenth celebrations and Father’s Day contributed to thousands more on the roads.
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Long Island residents faced heavy traffic Friday as a busy holiday weekend, major sporting events and Father’s Day celebrations brought thousands of drivers to the roads.
There was traffic throughout the day as residents and visitors traveled to destinations across the Island. Traffic experts say the backups are expected to continue through the weekend.
“There’s going to be an impact. It’s pretty unavoidable,” said AAA spokesperson Alec Slatky.
Among the largest draws were World Cup watch parties at Eisenhower Park and UBS Arena. Organizers said more than 5,000 people registered for the watch party at Eisenhower Park, while more than 18,000 fans gathered at UBS Arena to cheer on their favorite teams.
Fans said the traffic was a small price to pay for the chance to watch the matches alongside thousands of fellow supporters.
Mark Shulman, of UBS Arena, said the turnout highlighted the excitement surrounding the tournament.
“Every one of these people could have sat home, but they chose to come together, and that’s really what we’re here for,” Shulman said.
Many attendees traveled from across the region to take part in the festivities. Juanita Castillo, who drove from Queens, said she encountered significant delays along the way.
“A lot of traffic on the Belt Parkway, the Southern State Parkway,” Castillo said. “If you can just brace that initial traffic, you’ll be all right. But you’ve got to plan for it.”
The World Cup events are only part of what is making for an exceptionally busy weekend. The U.S. Open is underway at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, drawing golf fans from around the country. The recent Knicks parade in New York City also brought large crowds to the region earlier in the week.
With traffic expected to remain heavy through the weekend, AAA is urging drivers to remain patient and prioritize safety.
“We do see more crashes,” Slatky said. “We’re really encouraging people to take it slow. You’ll get there when you get there. Drive safely.”
Officials advise anyone heading to events across Long Island this weekend to allow extra travel time, monitor traffic conditions and plan ahead before getting on the road.
