Jul 2, 2008 11:22 am US/Eastern
Boston's 4th Of July Road Closures Announced
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
To accommodate the large crowds expected to attend Boston's 4th of July celebration, some of the city's busiest roads and bridges will be closed down over the next couple of days. Organizers urge everybody to use
public transportation to get to the Hatch Shell and other viewing areas along the Charles River.
Clean-up will begin 30 minutes after the last firework, and all roadways will remain closed until the clean-up is complete, which is expected to be Saturday morning, July 5.
As previously announced, the state is
not allowing any fireworks spectators to stand on the Longfellow Bridge, because of safety concerns.
Thursday July 3, 2008 8 a.m. - Esplanade walkway adjacent to the Charles River closed to pedestrians from the Community Boating area to DCRs Hatch Shell. The Esplanade sidewalk along Storrow Drive remains open.
8 a.m. - Oval area in front of the Hatch Shell closed to public for Boston Pops rehearsal.
8 a.m. - There will be no parking on Mugar Way between Arlington Street and Charles Street.
12 p.m. - Storrow Drive closed to westbound traffic from the Lee Pool to Berkeley Street, including the entrance from Charles Street Circle. Westbound traffic can re-enter Storrow Drive at Berkeley Street.
12 p.m. - The Arlington Street exit from the Storrow Tunnel (eastbound/inbound) will close.
Friday July 4, 2008 12:01 a.m. - No parking on Memorial Drive (either side) between Massachusetts Avenue and the Longfellow Bridge.
7:30 a.m. - • Storrow Drive (both directions) between Leverett Circle and Kenmore Square will be closed.
• The Storrow Drive exit ramp in the Tip ONeil Tunnel will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
• Closures will include the on-ramps to Storrow Drive from Berkeley Street, Charlesgate Area (heading eastbound), Bowker Overpass from Park Drive, and Charles Street Circle (heading westbound).
• No parking at Magazine Beach Area, and no boat launching in this area.
• Pedestrian footbridge to the Esplanade at Charles Street Circle closed.
• Pedestrian footbridge from Beacon Street to the Esplanade closed.
• Mugar Way at Beacon Street closed to all pedestrian traffic.
10:30 a.m. - Longfellow Bridge Cambridge-to-Boston side closed to vehicle traffic. Pedestrians can use roadway to cross the bridge.
12 p.m. - Far right lane on the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge, Boston-to-Cambridge side, will be closed.
4:30 p.m. - Longfellow Bridge Boston-to-Cambridge side closed to vehicle traffic. Pedestrians can use roadway to cross the bridge.
4:30 p.m. - Memorial Drive closed in both directions from Longfellow Bridge to Massachusetts Avenue.
6 p.m. - Memorial Drive closed between Massachusetts Avenue bridge and the B.U. Bridge.
6 p.m. - Massachusetts Avenue Bridge closed to vehicles in both directions from Beacon Street in Boston to Vassar Street in Cambridge. Pedestrians will be allowed to cross.
6:30 p.m. - Longfellow Bridge closed to all vehicles and all pedestrians. Spectators will be prohibited from standing on the bridge.
11 p.m. (or immediately following the fireworks) - Longfellow Bridge will open in both directions for pedestrians. Vehicles will be prohibited until clean-up crews have completed their work.
11 p.m. - Craigie Draw Bridge (at Leverett Circle) open for vehicular traffic for 2 hours or until traffic starts to subside. Small boats that can pass under bridge will be allowed to pass.
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