In preparation for an influx of motorists traveling along Savannah-Chatham Highways during the firework displays on the 4th of July weekend, the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department has implemented a traffic operations plan to reduce delays and relieve congestion.

SCMPD officers will be strategically located on Highway 80 and in the downtown corridor where historically long backups, short tempers and occasional low-speed traffic crashes occur following the fireworks display.

Starting Friday, additional officers will be posted along Highway 80 to monitor traffic flow. Officers will be posted at main intersections along Highway 80 and will be manually operating traffic lights to ensure traffic is steadily moving westbound from Tybee Island.

With an estimated 60,000 spectators in the downtown area for the 4th of July fireworks on River Street there will be some delays. However, SCMPD officers working at various intersections are expected to facilitate a seamless traffic flow, prevent bottle-necking, and move motorists safely to their destinations.

To ensure the safety of SCMPD officers and help minimize delays, motorists should be vigilant, patient and obedient to officers directing traffic. This especially means not stopping to ask officers for directions.   

Public parking lots on River Street will be closed beginning Saturday morning around 3 a.m. and will remain closed until early Sunday.
River Street will close to vehicular traffic Saturday at 5 p.m. and will reopen early Sunday morning.

The conclusion of the annual fireworks brings with it significant traffic challenges. The bulk of the people leaving downtown after the fireworks display want to get onto I-16. As a result, most motorists try to get onto MLK Boulevard. This creates heavy traffic congestion along the MLK corridor and westbound traffic on Bay Street.