Workers in Lower Manhattan prepare for the holidays

Beginning Monday, November 24th, the city’s annual holiday construction embargo will be in effect through Friday, January 2nd, 2009, as well as on Friday, November 21st from 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The embargo is an annual suspension of city-issued construction permits to help maintain pedestrian and vehicular traffic flow through the holiday season. The city Department of Transportation (DOT) will void all permits during the six-week embargo period, though project managers can request a waiver enabling work to continue, some with reduced work zones and other revised stipulations. Specific streets affected by the embargo are listed on the DOT site here.