Utica's Fourth of July celebration will alter parking, traffic Tuesday. What to know
The Utica Police Department has released information regarding temporary traffic and parking changes ahead of Tuesday’s July Fourth parade and fireworks in Proctor Park events.
Here is a look at what to expect on July 4.
Parade route
The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will last for approximately an hour and a half.
It starts on Genesee Street, in front of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, proceeding northbound on Genesee Street to the Memorial Parkway, turning right onto the Memorial Parkway proceeding eastbound to the Parkway Recreation Center where the parade will end.
July 4 parade parking, traffic
A temporary parking ban will be set for the parade route from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The parade route will be closed to traffic beginning at 9 a.m. and the associated road closures/detours will last until approximately 1 p.m.
All traffic destined for St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, including any other entities located on the medical center’s campus, should utilize the entrance/exit on Ballantyne Brae.
More: Follow these tips to keep your pets safe, secure during loud July Fourth fireworks
Party, fireworks in Proctor Park bring parking, traffic changes
The road closures and detours associated with the party and fireworks in Proctor Park begin at 5 p.m. The party in Proctor Park begins at 7 p.m. and the fireworks are tentatively set for 9:30 p.m.
The fireworks display will last for approximately 30 minutes.
The road closures/detours will remain in place until the crowds have dispersed from the general area. Residents can anticipate them lasting until approximately 11 p.m.
Residents who live just off of Culver Avenue will have to make some changes when parking cars in the roadway so that emergency vehicles are able to pass through.
Police will make temporary traffic and parking changes to ensure people in these areas are able to get emergency services if needed during this event.
These are the temporary traffic and parking changes that will be taking place:
Parking on the 1800 blocks of Girard Street, South Street, Gardner Street, and Guelich Street will be limited to parking on the north side of the street therefore you will park facing away from Culver Avenue toward Ontario Street to assist in clearing out post event traffic.
Parking on the 1600 block of Lansing Street will be limited to parking on the north side of the street.
Parking on Ontario Street (from Rutger Street to South Street) will be limited to parking on the east side of the street.
No parking on Ontario Street (from Blandina Street to Rutger Street), 1600 block of Blandina Street, Osborne Street, North Osborne Street, 1800 block of Rutger Street, 1900 block of Rutger Street, Ludlow Avenue (from Rutger Street to Proctor Park Entrance), Poe Street, Redfield Avenue, and Ward Street.
A traffic post will be set at the intersection of Rutger and Ontario streets diverting all eastbound traffic on Rutger Street north or south on Ontario Street.
The 1900 block of Rutger Street will be barricaded/closed, local traffic only.
Culver Avenue will be barricaded/closed from Bleecker Street to Rutger Street, local traffic only.
The 1800 blocks of Lansing Street, Blandina Street, and Culver Court will be barricaded/closed, local traffic only.
Poe Street, Redfield Avenue, and Ward Street will be barricaded/closed, local necessary traffic only.
VIP/vendor/handicap parking will be allowed by pass and/or handicap placard only and will be directed to the grassy lots on Ludlow Avenue at Rutger Street. Residents may access the designated parking lot via the traffic posts at Culver Avenue and Rutger Street or Culver Avenue and Redfield Avenue.
When exiting this designated parking area, police ask patrons to use Ludlow Avenue to Redfield Avenue to Culver Avenue.
CENTRO will offer free shuttle service from Mohawk Valley Community College (Sherman Drive) to Proctor Park beginning at 6:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica's July 4 celebration: What to know about parking, traffic
