4th of July Traffic: How to Get Out of the Park

Besides the fireworks, one of the most memorable things about Elk Grove's annual is the traffic. Thousands of people crowd for the event, and most leave right around the same time.

The Elk Grove Police Department on Thursday released its plans for road closures and detours during and at the end of the Fourth of July celebration, and in short the takeaway is: it's right-turn-only when leaving the park or nearby neighborhoods, and don't try to exit northbound Highway 99 at Elk Grove Boulevard between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The map at right shows a basic summary of the detours and road closures from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. The full summary from a Elk Grove Police Department press release is as follows:

INDEPENDENCE DAY TRAFFIC AND PARKING ADVISORY

ELK GROVE, CA – On Wednesday, July 4^th, the 16^th Annual Salute to the Red, White and Blue festival and fireworks display will be held at the Elk Grove Regional Park, 9950 Elk Grove-Florin Road.  As a result of the fireworks display which starts at 9:30 p.m., vehicle traffic will not be allowed to enter Elk Grove Park after 9:00 p.m.

The following street closure will be in effect from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4^th:

• East Stockton Blvd. at Valley Oak Lane will be closed to all traffic except for emergency vehicles or transit buses. 

The following street closure will be in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4^th:

• Elk Grove Blvd. exit from northbound Highway 99 will be closed.
• Southbound East Stockton Blvd. from Elk Grove Blvd. will be closed to all traffic except for emergency vehicles or transit buses. 

The following detours will be in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on July 4^th:

• Residential traffic to the east of Elk Grove Park will only be able to exit the area by making a right turn onto northbound Elk Grove-Florin Rd.
• All southbound traffic on Elk Grove-Florin Rd. will be diverted westbound onto Valley Oak Lane.
• Traffic leaving from the eastside of Elk Grove Park will only be able to turn right onto southbound Elk Grove-Florin Rd. Traffic will then be directed to southbound E.Stockton Blvd. then to either Highway 99 or Grant Line Rd.
• Traffic leaving from the westside of Elk Grove Park will only be able to turn right onto northbound E. Stockton Blvd. which will lead to Elk Grove Blvd.
• Traffic leaving on Valley Oak Lane (east or west) will be allowed access to northbound Elk Grove-Florin Road, northbound E. Stockton Blvd. or northbound Emerald Oak. 

• Traffic exiting the Hampton Oaks area will be directed onto southbound E. Stockton Blvd.

Parking Information:

All vehicular entry to the park is being directed through gates on Elk Grove-Florin Road. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. and will be open until full. All other gates are not for public entry, and are restricted to service and emergency vehicles, or exiting only.

ADA accessible parking spaces are located throughout the park, and an additional ADA accessible parking lot has been reserved across the street from Rotary Grove.

Additional parking is available in Elk Grove High School’s Student Lot and along the Promenade Parkway. A free shuttle service into the park will be provided by e-tran at both locations.

Admission to the park is $10 per car and there are no in and out privileges.

Alcohol, personal fireworks and pets are not permitted (excluding service dogs).

For additional information and a map of Elk Grove Regional Park, please visit www.elkgrovecity.org/rwb.

--

What's the best place to park during the Salute to the Red, White and Blue? Tell us in the comments section below.

--

More Fourth of July information from Elk Grove Patch: