As President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden made their way to Staten Island today for a Friendsgiving celebration with service members, commuters in New York City were given a heads up for potential gridlock. According to ABC7NY, the presidential visit, which includes a Friendsgiving dinner at the U.S. Coast Guard - Sector New York in Fort Wadsworth, was expected to cause significant traffic disruptions, particularly during the evening commute.
Traffic was affected in both directions between JFK Airport and Staten Island, due to the President and First Lady's motorcade. For those planning to leave early for holiday travels, unannounced closures and frozen zones needed to be on their radar. The Staten Island borough president warned, "Please be advised that we have been informed that Father Capodanno Boulevard will be closed on Monday, Nov. 25, from 4 p.m. to approximately 8 p.m." This came as a challenge for commuters, who were navigating the closures ahead of the holiday season. Staten Island last welcomed a sitting president in 2012 when President Barack Obama surveyed the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, as detailed by ABC7NY.
Providing details on the Biden's schedule, FOX5NY reported that the President and First Lady's itinerary began with their arrival at JFK International Airport at 5:05 p.m., followed by their departure to Staten Island. The couple arrived at Staten Island at around 5:30 p.m. for the anticipated event commencing at 6:15 p.m., where they were scheduled to deliver remarks and serve food as part of the first lady's Joining Forces initiative to support military families.
With the event wrapped up, President Biden and the First Lady were expected to depart Staten Island at 7:50 p.m., making their way back to Queens. Father Capodanno Boulevard, often bustling with the city's relentless pace, found itself in a standstill; its usual flow arrested by the necessity of presidential security, as reported by the Staten Island borough president. The Bidens' visit aimed not just to share a meal, but to extend gratitude and recognition to the service members and their families, underscoring the Joining Forces initiative's commitment.
