Enjoying downtown after the fireworks

Over the years the St. Augustine Police Department has refined a traffic plan that moves vehicles safely and as quickly as possible out of the downtown area following the fireworks according to Cathy DuPont with the Department of Public Affairs. Dupont informed Historic City News that this plan includes using King Street’s turning lane as a drive lane exiting downtown. Also, in an effort to move vehicles out of the Historic Downtown Parking Facility, DuPont said that all of West Castillo Dr. will be westbound to Ponce de Leon Boulevard.

A growing number of people are choosing to remain downtown after the fireworks for a bite to eat or take in some of the shops that have extended hours for the holiday. Given the choice between spending time strolling downtown with friends and family or sitting in traffic wasting gas, more and more are taking their time.

Rerouting of traffic will begin at 8:30pm and will include closing of the Temporary Bridge of Lions, Avenida Menendez and South Castillo Drive to all vehicular traffic turning the downtown into a pedestrian friendly zone.

Those not wishing to view the fireworks should avoid the downtown area and be aware that following the fireworks outlying routes such as US-1, SR-A1A, SR-312 and SR-207 will experience heavy traffic.