Fourth of July Fireworks Information and Closures

Happy 4th of July! GeoTraffic wants to make sure you stay on top of all traffic closures in your area for holiday festivities and fireworks displays. See below for a list of important closures and information regarding the celebrations in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Washington DC, Boston, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco:

 

Philadelphia:

Party on the Parkway: Noon Largest Free Concert in America: 7 p.m. (first performance starts at approximately 8 p.m.) Fireworks:Estimated to begin around 10:30 p.m. (immediately following concert)

The Parkway from 18th Street to Eakins Oval will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on the morning of July 4th through midnight. Other closures for most of the day include: Cherry Street from 18th to 20th Streets; 19th Street from Callowhill Street to the Parkway; 20th, 21st and 22nd Streets from Callowhill to Arch Streets; the eastbound and westbound exits of I-676 to 22nd and 23rd Streets; and the Martin Luther King Drive from the Art Museum to the Falls Bridge.

The closures and detours expand starting at 4 p.m. Closures include: Kelly Drive from South Ferry Road to Eakins Oval; Spring Garden and Callowhill Streets westbound at Broad Street and Hamilton Street westbound at 17th Street. Fairmount Avenue westbound will be diverted northbound onto Corinthian Avenue; 15th, 17th, 19th and 21st Streets south will be diverted eastbound onto Spring Garden Street; and 29th Street southbound will be diverted onto Poplar Street.

More information here.


 

Boston:

Starting at 12am on the 4th
No parking allowed on either side of Memorial Drive from 450 Memorial Drive to the Longfellow Bridge, and No parking allowed on Cambridge Parkway
 
At 7 a.m.:
Access to Storrow Drive westbound from Leverett Circle to Kenmore Square closes to traffic
The right hand travel lane on Charles River Dam Road closes from Museum Way to Leverett Circle
Storrow Drive exit ramp in the Tip O'Neill Tunnel closes to all traffic except emergency vehicles
The Leverett Circle entrance to Storrow Drive West closes. Traffic allowed to travel on Msgr. O'Brien Highway to Cambridge and Martha Way to Boston
 
At 3 p.m.:
No access to Storrow Drive westbound from Kenmore Square.
No access to Storrow Drive westbound from the Beacon Street on-ramp under the Bowker Overpass.
Storrow Drive eastbound is detoured at University Avenue.
 
At 4 p.m.:
Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrians allowed on the downstream side. Bridge closes to pedestrians from 9 p.m. until the end of the fireworks. Pedestrians not allowed to watch the fireworks from the bridge due to the construction project.
Memorial Drive closes to vehicular traffic from Mass. Ave to the Longfellow Bridge
Mass. Ave Bridge closed in both directions to all traffic from Beacon Street in Boston to Vassar Street in Cambridge. Pedestrians not allowed to watch fireworks from the bridge.
In Boston, these streets will be closed until the end of the fireworks: Beacon Street, Berkeley Street, Dartmouth Street, Fairfield Street, Hereford Street, and Massachusetts Ave.

At 10:15 p.m.:
Third Street in Cambridge becomes a one way from Main Street to Msgr. O'Brien Highway
Craigie Drawbridge remains closed for about 2 hours to allow traffic to subside

Smaller boats that can pass under bridge while in down position will be allowed to pass

Also, please take note that construction on the Longfellow Bridge prohibits folks from viewing fireworks there this year. And, finally, boaters will not be allowed between the bridge and barges because the fireworks barges have been moved westward, closer to the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge.

New York City:

The fireworks may be viewed from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the East River. The public viewing sections will be the elevated portions of FDR Drive with the following entry points:

Manhattan Access Points

• Montgomery & South Streets: From the north (viewing along the FDR between Manhattan Bridge and Montgomery Street).
• Brooklyn Bridge entry from St. James Place (Pearl Street) & Wagner Place (viewing both north & south of the Brooklyn Bridge).
• Broad Street and/or Old Slip at Water Street (viewing between Heliport & south side of Brooklyn Bridge
• ADA viewing area: Murray Bergtraum High School track and field facility, at the base of the Manhattan Bridge. Use the entrance at Market & Cherry Streets.

NOTE: Piers 15-17 are not public viewing areas.

Brooklyn Access Points

• Brooklyn Bridge Park (piers 1-6): enter on Old Fulton & Furman Street, Joralemon Street & Furman Street or Atlantic Avenue & Furman Street.
• Brooklyn Bridge Promenade: enter on Columbia Heights & Pineapple Street, Montague Street & Pierrepont Street or Pierrepont Street & Remsen Street.
• The following pedestrian streets will be closed to all non-emergency vehicle traffic:
  • Montague Street: from Court Street to Montague Terrace
  • Remsen Street from Court Street to Montague Terrace
  • Old Fulton Street from Hicks Street to Furman Street
  • Furman Street from Old Fulton Street to Atlantic Avenue
  • Columbia Heights from Montague Street to Old Fulton Street
  • Hicks Street from Atlantic Avenue to Old Fulton Street

·       Subways will be running on a Saturday schedule.
·       NOTE: There is no R service south of Canal, or north of Court Street, due to construction.
·       MANHATTAN – DOWNTOWN
·       2 3 4 5 A C to Fulton Street; walk East to South Street
·       GRAND CENTRAL STATION EAST SIDE
·       4 5 to Fulton Street or Bowling Green
·       GRAND CENTRAL STATION WEST SIDE
·       2 3 A C to Fulton Street

Washington DC:

On July 4th, public access to the National Mall begins at 10:00 a.m. The U.S. Capitol grounds open at 3:00 p.m. The fireworks show usually kicks off shortly after 9:00 p.m. 

Metrorail: Blue and Orange Line stops for Federal Center or Red Line stop for Judiciary Square. Be aware that the Smithsonian station closes on July 4.

Road Closures from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 4th:

• Arlington Memorial Bridge and Arlington Memorial Circle on the Virginia end to and including Lincoln Memorial Circle in the District;
• Rock Creek Parkway south of Virginia Avenue, NW to Lincoln Memorial Circle, including all approaches and ramps;
• Parkway Drive from Rock Creek Parkway to Lincoln Memorial Circle;
• Lincoln Memorial Circle and all approaches and ramps into and out of Lincoln Memorial Circle, including Henry Bacon Drive, NW and Daniel Chester French Drive, SW;
• Ramp from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Bridge to Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW and Ohio Drive, SW; Inbound traffic on I-66 will be directed to the “E” Street Expressway;
• Constitution Avenue, NW from 23rd Street, NW to 14th Street, NW;
• 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd Streets, NW between Constitution Avenue, NW and C Street, NW;
• 18th Street, NW between Constitution Avenue, NW and Virginia Avenue, NW;
• Virginia Avenue, NW between Constitution Avenue, NW and 18th Street, NW;
• 17th Street, NW from E Street, NW south to Independence Avenue, SW;
• C and D Streets, NW from 17th to 18th Streets, NW;
• 15th Street, NW from E Street, NW south to Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW;
• Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW to Maine Avenue, SW;
• Independence Avenue, SW west of 14th Street, SW to 23rd Street, SW, including merge with Rock Creek Parkway;
• Madison Drive, NW from 15th Street, NW to 3rd Street. NW;
• Jefferson Drive, SW from 15th Street, SW to 3rd Street, SW;
• 7th Street, NW between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW;
• 4th Street, NW between Constitution Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue, SW;
• Ohio Drive, SW from the Inlet Bridge to Independence Avenue, SW;
• West Basin Drive, SW from Ohio Drive, SW to Independence Avenue, SW;
• East Basin Drive, SW, east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive, SW.

Virginia Closures from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 4th

• Ramp from southbound and northbound George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) to Memorial Avenue /Circle;
• Memorial Ave, traffic will be allowed to enter Arlington Cemetery and 110.
• Ramp from VA Rte-27 to Memorial Avenue/Circle. Traffic can exit onto Rte. 50.
• Ramp from S/B 395 to N/B GWMP will close at 0900 hours.
• Ramp from Rt. 50 to Rte-27 will be closed.
• Ramp to N/B GWMP from Rt. 50 will be closed.

Note: The GWMP will have one northbound lane open to vehicular traffic on July 4th. There will be a 1 hour closure of the parkway N/B and S/B between 395 to Boundary Channel between 2100 to 2200 hours. Ramp from Rt. 27 to N/B GWMP will also be closed. Traffic will be diverted onto 395 to include the Pentagon going Southbound.

Road Closures from 11:00 a.m. to approximately 10:00 p.m. on July 4th: Parade Closures

• 3rd Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and Maryland Avenue, SW;
• Constitution Avenue, NW from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to 14th Street, NW, starting at 11:00 a.m.;
• 14th Street, NW between Pennsylvania Avenue, NW and Independence Avenue,

Virginia Closures from 3:00 p.m. to midnight on July 4th:

• Eastbound U.S. Route 50 ramps to the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) and roads in the immediate area of U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial;

Atlanta:

MARTA is strongly encouraged for transportation when going to the Centennial Olympic Park’s 4th of July Celebration.

Gates open at 6pm, fireworks start at 9pm.

Parking will available at the Red Deck Parking Garage, which is located on Andrew Young International Blvd. across from the Georgia Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center.

The Braves are also in town at Turner Field. The All-American Fireworks Spectacular will feature incredible fireworks displays choreographed to patriotic music.

Chicago: 

Navy Pier will display fireworks on Friday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m. presented by Illinois Lottery and on Saturday, July 5 at 10:15 p.m. With large crowds expected on both days, it is anticipated that at some times on both days, to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, Navy Pier will reach capacity and the gates will close.

All visitors with tickets or reservations are encouraged to arrive several hours in advance of your event start time and allow extra travel time to Navy Pier.  

Parking information:
Navy Pier’s on-site East and West parking garages (located at 600 E. Grand Ave.) accommodate 1,500 vehicles. These garages will fill quickly. To ensure the quickest exit from the garage, we recommend paying for parking at the Automated Pay Stations located throughout the Pier after you park and prior to entering Navy Pier.

You can save time and money by accessing alternate parking garages at Grand Plaza Park, Ogden Plaza Self Park and Millennium Lakeside Garage.* These off-site garages are all within walking distance to Navy Pier and are serviced by either the Navy Pier trolley or special Millennium Lakeside Garage trolley direct to Navy Pier. Guests using these lots should allow extra time for trolley service. Trolley service is subject to availability.

The Police Department will also implement rolling street closures as they feel necessary when the lakefront and beaches reach capacity. The Police do expect that similar to last year, Grand Avenue and Illinois Streets from Navy Pier to Columbus will be closed at some point to vehicular traffic.

Los Angeles:

Americafest at the Rosebowl runs 2:30 to 9:30 on Friday July 4^th.

2 PM: Festival begins outside the stadium in Area H

7 PM: Live motorcycle stunts and special musical performances by Grammy Nominated Liverpool Legends (Louise Harrison’s hand picked Ultimate Beatles Experience) and Teen Idol singing star Ian Thomas.

9 PM: The largest fireworks show begins

Parking is $25 per car payable at the parking lots. Advanced parking for $20 per car will be available at the Rose Bowl Stadium ticket booth near Gate B starting Saturday, June 28, everyday through July 3, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Parking lots will open to the general public starting at 9:00 am on July 4. Guests will be directed to the closest available lot.

More information here.

San Diego:

Shelter Island: This area fills up quickly on July 4th.  Parking is best west of Rosecrans and then walk or take the shuttle, Old Towne Trolley, from the West Marine parking lot. Don’t park in their parking lot but find space on the streets around West Marine. The Old Towne Trolley shuttle can take you out to Shelter Island and drop you off around the circle as you enter the island. Pick up after the show is in the same location.  Walking is a good option after noon on July 4th to Shelter Island. Please be patient as the attendance will be very large.

Parking along San Diego Bay fills up quickly and Shelter Island is usually full by 1 p.m. Last year, Shelter Island was closed to incoming traffic at 1 p.m. It is expected to close at about the same time this year. Harbor Island usually fills up by 5 p.m. Once all parking is taken there, the Harbor Police will close it.

Harbor Island: Parking is very limited  on Harbor Island so your best bet might be to take the free shuttle bus service from the Port of San Diego. Parking spots are often full by early afternoon.

Bus Shuttle Service to Harbor Island begins at 6pm from the Port parking adjacent to the Port Administration building at 3165 Pacific Highway (Click for Google Map). You will be dropped off at the Harbor Police parking lot off the Rental Car Access Road across from the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Island Drive. From this drop off and pick up location you can walk to the bay on Harbor Island

North Embarcadero

The area from Grape Street to Broadway including the B Street Pier and Broadway Pier is available for great viewing.  Parking is available in various lots and streets from Harbor Drive to Pacific Highway.

The area from Broadway to the Headquarters “Old Police Station” complex has excellent viewing possibilities.  The Midway Aircraft Carrier has an event open to the public to view from their flight deck that is a paid ticketed event. Parking is available on Navy Pier, the G Street Mole/Fish Market and Harbor Drive where available.

Seaport Village

Another excellent area to watch the show is Seaport Village and South Embarcadero over to the San Diego Hilton Bayside Hotel.

Parking is available in the various lots in this area including the Seaport Village and Hilton parking lots. Other areas to park on Harbor Drive might incur a short walk to the waterfront to view the show.

Coronado Ferry Landing

On the Coronado Island side, the Coronado Ferry Landing shopping area has excellent viewing options with parking not only in the shopping center but also on the public street in the general vicinity.

More information here.

San Francisco:

PIER 39 celebrates Independence Day with fun for the whole family featuring music entertainment and activities in our Entrance Plaza.   At approximately 9:30 PM, The City of San Francisco will treat spectators to an elaborate fireworks display over the San Francisco Bay.

The annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Music Festival along the northern waterfront will take place between 2 and 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be set off from from a barge off Pier 39 and from the Municipal Pier, Aquatic Park, beginning at 9:30 p.m. The SFMTA will provide extra MUNI service. Existing MUNI service in the area will be affected.

Schedule of Events:

12 – 3 PM:  ‘Mobility’ from the USAF Band of the Golden West on the Entrance Plaza Stage
5 – 8 PM: Tainted Love on the Entrance Plaza Stage
9:30 PM:  City of San Francisco Fireworks over the San Francisco Bay

Friday, July 4, 2014, 2:00 pm to 11:30 pm

The annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Music Festival along the northern waterfront will take place between 2 and 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be set off from from a barge off Pier 39 and from the Municipal Pier, Aquatic Park, beginning at 9:30 p.m. The SFMTA will provide extra Muni service. Existing Muni service in the area will be affected.

More information here. 

Make sure you stay tuned to the GeoTraffic app and Twitter pages for all updates on firework closures by city as well as how Hurricane Arthur might affect the celebrations on the East Coast.

The national traffic team at GeoTraffic wishes everyone a very safe and happy 4th of July!