Iconic “Gridlock Busters” Traffic Sign Removed from Norfolk Street

Oh shit! A sad loss has just befallen Norfolk Street. Probably our favorite street sign in the whole neighborhood was recently pried from its longtime housing just south of Delancey. Say it ain’t so.

“Gridlock Busters” was a relatively obscure sign from another lifetime, planted on an oft-trafficked street. Here it lived for many moons (likely since the early 80s), attracting its fair share of vandals and sticker bandits over the years. We loved the little bugger, channeling the spirits of a bygone Gotham.

The anti-gridlock campaign intensified in the early 80s, and these cartoonish signs were deployed to help spread the message and warn motorists not to block the box. Much of the campaign was reportedly borrowed from a successful system at play in London. Incentives were given, using branded bumper stickers and t-shirts (we want one!). If there’s one fact of life, however, it’s that nothing will stop this maneuver from happening. Especially during rush hour or limos on the weekends.

Anyway, we have a hunch that the recent Delancey safety improvements were partially responsible for the loss of this treasure. All the new traffic patterns require updated signs, and Gridlock Busters just doesn’t fit anymore.

Someone is definitely keeping that for their personal collection!