Updated Road Closures & Traffic Information for Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

Due to anticipated weather-related concerns, the concert and fireworks show at the Esplanade will now be held one day earlier on Thursday, July 3. As previously noted, there will be vehicular and pedestrian traffic restrictions in place for Cambridge and Boston’s celebration. All roadways will remain closed (unless noted otherwise) until the Department of Conservation and Recreation has an opportunity to clean the roadways. Please note one significant change from last year: Due to ongoing construction, there will be no fireworks viewing allowed from the Longfellow Bridge. These closures will be updated as needed.

July 3

12 p.m.:

1. No parking on Memorial Drive (either side) between Wadsworth Street and Vassar Street. All vehicles remaining after this time will be removed.
2. No parking on Cambridge Parkway.
3. No access to Storrow Dr. westbound from the Kenmore Square (Bowker Overpass). 
4. No access to Storrow Dr. westbound from the Beacon St. on-ramp under the Bowker Overpass.
5. Storrow Drive eastbound will be detoured at University Avenue.

6 p.m.:

1. Memorial Drive in both directions from Massachusetts Avenue to the Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic.
2. Main Street, Cambridge, from Third Street to the Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic.
3. Ames Street from Main Street to Memorial Drive, Cambridge, closed to vehicular traffic.
4. Wadsworth and Amherst Streets, Cambridge, closed to vehicular traffic.
5. Land Boulevard (Cambridge) from Binney Street to Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic.
6. Hayward, Carlton, Charlotte’s Way and Dock Streets in Cambridge, closed to vehicular traffic.
7. Access allowed to One Memorial Drive only with issued permit.
8. Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic.  Pedestrians will be allowed on the downstream side (only side open due to construction). 
9. Due to construction, the Longfellow Bridge will be closed to pedestrian traffic from approximately 9 p.m. until the end of the fireworks. Due to the construction, no fireworks viewing from the Longfellow Bridge will be allowed.
10. Mass. Ave. Bridge closed in both directions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic from Beacon Street in Boston to Vassar Street in Cambridge. As in previous years, no fireworks viewing from the Mass. Ave. Bridge will be allowed.
11. Memorial Drive from Mass Ave to the BU Bridge closed to vehicular traffic. Vehicular access will be allowed for patrons going to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Hyatt patrons will be directed to the Vassar Street road closure. 
12. Vassar Street in Cambridge from Mass Ave to Memorial Drive closed to vehicular traffic. Access will be allowed for residents and Hyatt patrons.
13. 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.

10:15 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 at the discretion of the Incident Commander.

Miscellaneous

Clean-Up:

1. Clean-up begins 30 minutes after the fireworks display has concluded.
2. All roadways will remain closed until clean and labor crews are safely removed.
3. If practicable, there will be an attempt to open the roadways in the following order:

a)      Mass Ave Bridge;

b)      Longfellow Bridge;

c)      Memorial Drive;

d)     Storrow Drive, Bowker Overpass, Charlesgate Area, Charles Circle.

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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