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Traffic Plan & Parking

If you're going by land...

July Fourth TRAFFIC PLAN

Because the Fireworks will be from a Barge at the Mouth of the Harbor, some traffic problems are inevitable. With human behavior being what it is, we can expect the majority of viewers to be at one of these locations. First, Fort Sewall. Secondly, Chandler Hovey Park (lighthouse) and the third location will be on boats in and outside of the harbor. By taking these locations in reverse order we can go from the least to the most intrusive. Boats on the water will not affect traffic beyond where the boaters park their cars to get to the boat. Weather permitting, I see all of the legal spaces filled early in the day. Chandler Hovey Park will be relatively simple until after the fireworks. The best vantage points lay between Clark Landing and Fort Sewall. To maintain proper access for emergency vehicles of all descriptions, a perimeter shall be set. This perimeter, once established, shall have the flexibility to expand quickly as the need arises.

The flow of traffic within the downtown area will be changed dramatically. Here is the pattern as it now stands:

  • For most of the day Front Street will maintain its normal one way direction of travel as safety permits.
  • There is no parking on Front Street from Franklin Street to Fort Sewall.
  • At 7pm, Front street will be blocked at Selman Street which will become one way from Front Street to Franklin Street.
  • At 7pm, Franklin Street will become one way from Selman Street to Washington Street.
  • At 7pm, Washington Street will become one way from Franklin Street to State Street.

Once the pedestrian traffic has cleared the downtown area after the fireworks and motor vehicles begin to move, traffic coming from Franklin to State will be turned up Mugford Street to Elm and Green Streets. Traffic will be diverted along Green Street to West Shore Drive to merge with traffic from the Beacon Street area. It must be noted that all of the foregoing is subject to change and revision by the Chief of Police. Everyone is encouraged to walk as far as possible and to check this web site for changes.

Marblehead Police Department

Parking

Map of Marblehead

On-street parking is always limited in Marblehead. If you arrive early, your chances of finding a spot are a lot greater. Most people walk to their favorite viewing spots, leaving their cars at home or further from downtown. Convenient lots are located at the Marblehead High School and the Recreation and Parks Department Building (intersection of Pleasant, Lafayette and Humphrey Streets), Gatchell's Playground (intersection of Lafayette Street and West Shore Drive)... leave your car and stroll to a viewing point. Riverhead Beach is an easy walk from these central parking lots, and Marblehead's Old Town is only 10 minutes away. Stop for an ice cream on your way, get to your viewing location, and stake out a spot! This is a time where you may see more tow trucks than you are used to. 

If you are not parked in a legal spot you can be pretty well sure your car will not be there when you return.