Carmi Chief of Police Jason Carter announced the traffic pattern for this year’s fireworks display, which is set for Monday night, July 4 around 9pm. The pattern will essentially be the same as years past. Carter said at 8:45pm, the set traffic patterns will go into effect. Fairgrounds Road will be open until just prior to the start of the fireworks.
Carter said the South gate of the fairgrounds will be closed at Main Street. Both entrances into the fairgrounds/Huck’s gas pumps on Oak Street and Fairgrounds Road will be closed to traffic entering or leaving the fairgrounds from 8:45pm until the traffic has dispersed.
Following the fireworks display, all traffic exiting the fairgrounds via the main gate will be turned north and south on Fairground Road. If congestion occurs at Main and Fairground, all exiting traffic will be turned north on Fairground Road.
Fair Street traffic will be turned northbound toward Oak Street and at Oak, all traffic will be turned eastbound only. Traffic from Oak Street will not be allowed to turn south onto Fairground Road during this time.
Traffic from April Avenue at Main Street will be allowed to turn East only onto Main Street only.
Traffic on Main Street will not be allowed to enter Fairground Road during this time. Southbound traffic from Fairground Road will be allowed to turn west on Main Street only.
Any vehicles parked in the grassy area along Main Street will be directed to join the westbound flow of traffic on Main Street.
Carter said the traffic signals at Main and Fairgrounds will be set to flash red and all rules that would apply to stop signs will be applicable.
“Although this may sound confusing, it’s a pattern that has worked well for the past several years.” Carter explained. “This pattern helps disperse traffic as quickly as possible.”
Motorists are reminded to watch and obey all directions from Carmi Police officers, White County Sheriff’s deputies, and Carmi Fire and EMA units. This traffic routing system is in place to enable the safest and quickest exiting of traffic from the event area.
