MTA Announces Service Details for 2025 TCS New York City Marathon

MTA Bridges and Tunnels to Close Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to All Non-Emergency Traffic Between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2

Upper Level Will Be Closed to Traffic in Both Directions Beginning at 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the following service changes and updates for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon taking place on Nov. 2.

Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge Closure

MTA Bridges and Tunnels, in coordination with the New York City Police Department, will close the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to all non-emergency vehicular traffic between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, for the New York City-permitted TCS New York City Marathon. Motorists seeking to travel to Brooklyn or Staten Island via the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge must use alternate routes.

In addition, on Saturday, Nov. 1, the upper level of the bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions beginning at 11:00 p.m. to allow for roadway preparation. Over-dimensional vehicles and vehicles containing hazardous materials will not be permitted to cross the bridge in either direction once that closure takes place. The Bay Street and Lily Pond Avenue exits in Staten Island will close at 3:00 a.m. and reopen at approximately 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Motorists can call the Verrazzano-Narrows Marathon Traffic Hotline at (718) 692-5656 to hear information about the closures.

Seeing the Race with New York City Transit

New York City Transit will stay in contact with the New York Road Runners Club and the NYPD, sharing information regarding any street closures and/or bus diversions that may arise. The Central Park Transverse Roads at 65th, 79th and 96th Streets will be closed for most of the day, and buses will not be permitted to cross Fifth Avenue during the race. Numerous other bus diversions will take place along the marathon route across the city.

Marathon revelers can use the MTA app or mta.info for any last-minute subway or bus diversion details as the race progresses.

On race day, runners traveling to Staten Island by ferry during the early morning hours can take the subway to South Ferry, the to Whitehall St station, or the to Bowling Green station, then walk to the Whitehall Ferry Terminal. In Staten Island, shuttle buses will transport runners directly from the ferry terminal to School Road at Bay Street on Staten Island.

Note that, due to planned work, northbound trains will run express between 96 St and 145 St, and northbound trains will run express between Grand Central-42 St and 125 Street.

To ensure customers are able to travel to and from the race smoothly and safely, platform controllers will be deployed at stations surrounding the finishing area and other high priority viewing points, such as Queensboro Plaza and Lexington Av-59 St . In order to prevent overcrowding on stairways and platforms at subway stations, some stairways may be designated as "entrance or exit only."

Ways to Stay Informed

mta.info - The definitive source for real-time arrival information and service change information for each line or route in the MTA system. Customers can find current statuses on mta.info and upcoming planned service changes using the lookup tool at mta.info/alerts.  

MTA app - Customers who use the comprehensive MTA app will see real-time train, bus and rail arrival times, and can chat with the customer care team all in one place. The app is available in the Apple Store and in Google Play.

TrainTime app - The MTA's TrainTime app is the essential companion to navigating the commuter rail system. Customers can plan their trip, purchase tickets, check train status, and chat with customer service, all in one app. The app is available in the Apple Store and in Google Play. 

Email & Text Alerts - Customers can sign up for email and SMS alerts tailored to their specific commutes and travel times. They can also sign up for MTA newsletters like The Weekender, a weekly newsletter that covers major weekend planned service changes. Customers can sign up here. 

511 - Customers who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.