Cambridge July 4, 2018 Road Closures: What To Know

CAMBRIDGE, MA — This year on July 4, as always, folks will be lining Mem Drive to watch the fireworks from the Cambridge side of the river. And that means road closures and parking bans. As was the case last year, will be no fireworks viewing allowed from the Longfellow Bridge. Curious what else is up? We've got you covered. Cambridge Police have put out a handy timeline of parking restrictions and road closures that start Monday, July 2 and go until Parks and Rec can clean everything up.

The fireworks begin over the Esplanade at 10:30 p.m. and will last about 20 minutes.

Here's all that info>> Boston July 4th Fireworks, Boston Pops and More: 2018 Guide

Monday, July 2

Beginning at 7 a.m.:

No parking on Mugar Way from Arlington Street to Charles Street until 6 a.m. on July 5. All vehicles remaining will be removed.

Tuesday, July 3

Beginning at 6 a.m.:

Right hand travel lane on Storrow Drive westbound will be closed.

Then starting at 7 a.m.:

• Esplanade walkway adjacent to the Charles River closed to pedestrians and bicyclists from the area of the Community Boat Club to the front of the concession stand. All pedestrians and bicyclists will be directed to the sidewalk adjacent to Storrow Drive until approximately 3 p.m.
• Oval area closed to public for Pops rehearsal (Will re-open at approximately 5 p.m., or as determined by Boston 4 Productions and the Incident Commander.)
• The exit to Arlington Street from the Storrow Tunnel (eastbound) shall be closed until 6 a.m. July 5.

9 a.m.:

• Esplanade curbside reserved for permitted bus parking from the Longfellow Bridge westbound to the Fielder Footbridge.
• Traffic will continue west bound on Storrow Drive
• There will be no public parking along Storrow Drive for either the rehearsals or the concert.

3 p.m. (Or a time to be determined by the Incident Commander):

• Storrow Drive will be closed to westbound traffic from the Lee Pool to the Bowker Overpass. All westbound traffic will be diverted to Charles Street Circle. Westbound traffic may re-enter Storrow Drive westbound by heading down Charles Street, to Beacon Street, to the westbound entrance at the Bowker Overpass.
• Mugar Way at Beacon Street will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This will remain closed until the early morning hours of July 5. Pedestrians will be directed to Berkeley Street for entrance to the Esplanade.
• Berkeley Street at Beacon Street will be closed to vehicular traffic.
• Storrow Drive Eastbound will be closed and detoured at the Bowker Overpass. It will remain closed until July 5, at a time to be determined by the Incident Commander.

Wednesday, July 4

Starting at 12 a.m.:

• No parking on Memorial Drive (either side) from 450 Memorial Drive to the Longfellow Bridge. All vehicles remaining after this time will be removed.
• No parking on Cambridge Parkway.

7 a.m.:

1. Access to Storrow Drive westbound from Leverett Circle to Kenmore Square (Bowker Overpass) will be closed to traffic.
2. The righthand travel lane on Charles River Dam Road will be closed from Museum Way to Leverett Circle.
3. The Storrow Drive Exit Ramp in the Tip O’Neill Tunnel will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
4. The Leverett Circle entrance to Storrow Drive West will also be closed. Traffic will be allowed to travel on Msgr. O’Brien Highway to Cambridge and Martha Way to Boston.
5. The following Storrow Drive on and off ramp closures will remain in effect from July 3:

• Berkeley Street;
• Charlesgate Area (heading eastbound);
• Bowker Overpass from Park Drive and the Fenway;
• Charles Street Circle.(heading westbound).

1. No Parking at Magazine Beach and Pool, Riverside Boat Club and the MWRA pump station (Cottage Farm). No boat launching in this area.
2. Pedestrian Footbridge at Charles Street Circle going to the Esplanade closed.
3. Fiedler Footbridge from Beacon Street going to the Esplanade closed.

12 p.m.:

1. A lane on the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge going from Boston to Cambridge will be closed. This lane will remain closed for the remainder of time the bridge remains open (entire bridge closes to vehicles and pedestrians at 4 p.m.)

3 p.m.:

1. No access to Storrow Dr. westbound from the Kenmore Square (Bowker Overpass).
2. No access to Storrow Dr. westbound from the Beacon St. on-ramp under the Bowker Overpass.
3. Storrow Drive eastbound will be detoured at University Avenue.
4. Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic

4 p.m.

1. The Longfellow Bridge will be closed to pedestrian traffic from approximately 9 p.m. until the end of the fireworks. No fireworks viewing from the Longfellow Bridge will be allowed. 2. Cambridge Parkway closed to vehicular traffic except, it will remain open to vehicles with Handicap Placards/plates only. All vehicles must be removed from Cambridge Parkway by 1 a.m. on July 5.

10:30 p.m.

1. Third Street in Cambridge becomes one way from Main Street to Msgr. O’Brien Highway.
2. Craigie Drawbridge (at Leverett Circle) to remain closed for approximately 2 hours to allow traffic to subside.
3. Smaller boats that can pass under bridge while in the down position will be allowed to pass.

All closures are subject to change.

Handicapped Parking- July 4:

1. 12 p.m.: Mass. Eye & Ear Storrow parking lot opens for vehicles displaying handicap placards/plates. HP placards/plates are needed for entry to the lot. (Entrance for the parking lot is through Charles Circle).
2. The Mass Eye & Ear lot will close when the designated disabilities- parking area at the Esplanade is filled, the allotted parking area at the specified Mass. Eye & Ear lot is filled or at 6 p.m., whichever occurs first.
3. Parking for people with disabilities will also be allowed on Cambridge Parkway.

Clean-Up

Interstate 93

1. Viewing of fireworks display from I-93 is dangerous and prohibited. State troopers assigned to this area will strictly ensure that there is no stopping to watch the fireworks.

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Photo courtesy Cambridge Police.