Independence Day Safety, Street Closures

Independence Day Safety, Street Closures

                                                                                                                                 

June 30, 2017

The Richmond Police Department knows the public is excited to celebrate the nation’s 241^st anniversary on the upcoming Fourth of July holiday - but the Department wants everyone to celebrate safely.

Residents are reminded that fireworks and the firing of guns are illegal within the city limits, not just on July 4, but at all times.

For the public Fourth of July festivities, parking will be restricted Tuesday, July 4 in the area around Dogwood Dell, The Carillon and Byrd Park. Towing will be strictly enforced in areas with no-parking signage and as directed by Richmond Police. No parking will be allowed on medians, bridges or roadways.

Persons planning to attend festivities at Dogwood Dell are encouraged to use the shuttle service available from City stadium at McCloy Street and Douglasdale Road, beginning at 4 p.m.

The evening’s events at Dogwood Dell start at 6:15 p.m. The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities advises that alcohol and pets are not allowed at this event. The public is asked to please dispose of trash properly.

“The public will enjoy dueling fireworks shows at either end of the Boulevard this year with Dogwood Dell’s popular event and the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ Independence Day Celebration Fireworks,” said Special Operations Division Commander John O’Kleasky. “We will close several roads around Byrd Park and have a large uniform and plainclothes police presence around Dogwood Dell to ensure a safe family-friendly atmosphere.”

Please note the following street closings and traffic pattern changes for July 4:

·            Douglasdale Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from McCloy Street to Blanton Avenue from 4 to 11 p.m. This street will only be used by the shuttle buses during this time.

·            The Boulevard will be closed to southbound traffic at Cary Street at 7:30 p.m. The detour will travel east on Cary Street.

·            Westover Hills Boulevard will be closed to northbound traffic at the Boulevard Bridge at 7:30 p.m. The detour is west on Forest Hill to the Powhite Parkway or east on Forest Hill to Semmes Avenue.

Please be reminded that if a cross-street intersects with any of the closed streets, that intersection will be closed as well.

After the fireworks at Dogwood Dell, all northbound traffic traveling toward The Boulevard will be detoured eastbound to I-195. There is a 75-cent toll. All traffic from Garrett Street and Blanton Avenue will be directed south over the Boulevard Bridge utilizing both lanes.

To assist with the Fourth of July celebration, the Richmond Metropolitan Authority will waive the toll on the Boulevard Bridge for southbound traffic for 30 minutes after the fireworks display has ended.

And happy 150^th to our friends from the north who are celebrating Canada Day on July 1!