Hundreds of Metro police officers will have a strong visible presence downtown throughout Friday to enhance the safety and enjoyment of the more than 250,000 persons expected to attend the Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th celebration downtown.
The police department asks event goers to be mindful of their surroundings, and if they see something suspicious or concerning, say something to a nearby officer or telephone 615-880-1515. The telephone line is connected to an MNPD command post. Persons are also reminded to treat their personal belongings as if they were in an airport and not leave them unattended. Prohibited in the designated 4th of July footprint include firearms, backpacks, wagons or pull-carts, beach or pole style umbrellas, and pop-up tents. Pets are not allowed (except for service animals).
Folks coming downtown for the celebration are encouraged to arrive early and have a parking plan. To locate available parking downtown, visit parkitdowntown.com. WeGo bus routes will operate on a Sunday schedule with final departures at 11:15pm.
The Woodland Street Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic at 8 p.m. Friday night and will then be available only to pedestrians. The Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge will close at 8 p.m. and will not be available for the viewing of fireworks due to it being in the fallout zone. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Area residents are cautioned against stopping on the shoulders of the interstate system to watch the downtown fireworks display. Stopping/parking on the interstate is inherently dangerous. The interstate loop on the east side of downtown will close for approximately one hour beginning 30 minutes before the fireworks display, with the THP & TDOT assisting. The closure will impact four interchanges: Shelby Avenue, James Robertson Parkway, Woodland Street/Interstate Drive, and Ellington Parkway/Spring Street.
After the fireworks display, the police department will deploy a specific egress plan to move traffic out of the downtown area as efficiently as possible. Motorists are asked to be patient as officers work to disperse the very large volume of traffic.
The police department reminds Nashvillians that it is illegal to use fireworks in Davidson County, with the exception of properly permitted public displays. Neighborhood complaints can be sent electronically to Hub Nashville at www.hub.nashville.gov. Residents are urged to refrain from calling 911 to report fireworks in order to keep those lines open for true emergencies.
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