Friday, July 1, 2005

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Traffic shutdowns on the way for July 4 parade

Parkway closing at 8 a.m. so parade entries can line up

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City’s July 4 parade will bring a few traffic tweaks to the southside as entries and spectators line up for the city’s biggest community event of the year.

As always, some spectators will be early birds, poaching the best viewing spots along the route. Those who wait until the last minute will have to scramble for one of the few open spots left on the median or side of the parkway.

Parents are urged to keep children out of the roadway during the parade. Many of the vehicles in the parade have limited visibility, thereby increasing the danger, so children should be kept at a safe distance to avoid injuries, officials said.

Starting at 8 a.m., the section of Peachtree Parkway from Crosstown Road to the south end of the parkway will be closed to all traffic in both directions, with the exception of parade entries, police said. Also at 8 a.m., the Braelinn Road intersection with Peachtree Parkway will be closed off.

Some traffic delays are expected to begin as early as 7 a.m. Monday in advance of the parade’s 9 a.m. start. There will be increased golf cart, pedestrian and other parade traffic during that time, so motorists should use caution, officials said.

Parade officials and police will help parade participants and control traffic.

Some of the parade entries will be lining up in the bus loop and other areas at Braelinn Elementary on Robinson Road.

Detours will steer traffic around the parade route, which starts on Peachtree Parkway near the Braelinn Golf Club and proceed north all the way to McIntosh Trail. The parade will hang a left there and disperse near Huddleston Elementary and the city’s recreation complex just off McIntosh Trail.

During the parade, vehicle traffic at the intersection of the parkway and Crosstown Road will be monitored, and if necessary, the parade will temporarily be stopped to allow east-west vehicles on Crosstown Road, officials said.

Other detours for the parade route will be as follows:

• Beginning at 7:30 a.m., vehicles will not be allowed to enter Peachtree Parkway from Bernhard Road, also to allow for stacking room for parade entries.

• At 8 a.m., Robinson Road south, from Peachtree Parkway all the way to the city limits, will be fully closed to traffic. Traffic on the north side of Robinson Road will be “extremely limited” as parade entries line up at Braelinn Elementary.

• During the parade, on Peachtree Parkway, southbound traffic will be diverted at Fisher’s Luck to McIntosh Trail.

• During the parade, on McIntosh Trail, westbound traffic will be directed north on Peachtree Parkway.