OCEAN CITY, Md. - The Town of Ocean City is advising people to plan ahead for parking restrictions, traffic delays and high demand for public transportation during this year’s Fourth of July fireworks celebrations.
“No Parking” zones will be enforced Friday, from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. near Northside Park. The affected streets include:
The north and south sides of 123rd Street between Coastal Highway and Jamaica Avenue
The north and south sides of 125th Street between Coastal Highway and Jamaica Avenue
The north and south sides of 127th Street between Coastal Highway and Jamaica Avenue
The east side of Jamaica Avenue from 123rd Street north to 125th Street
The west side of Jamaica Avenue from 125th Street to 127th Street
The east side of Jamaica Avenue, from 127th Street to the road’s end near the Recreation and Parks maintenance complex
People attending the northern fireworks show can expect an alternate traffic pattern between 123rd Street and 127th Street starting at 7 p.m. says the town.
Near Caroline Street, parking restrictions will take effect Friday at 6 a.m. including:
Baltimore Avenue and North Division Street
900 to 902 Philadelphia Avenue
The north side of the 200 block of Dorchester Street
The 200 block of 1st Street
The south side of the 200 block of 2nd Street
South St. Louis Avenue between Dorchester and Talbot streets on the east side
Officials warn that parking will be minimal near both fireworks locations and that drivers should expect long delays leaving after the shows. The Inlet Parking Lot will be open, but the rate will increase to $6 per hour.
The town has enacted a resolution that enhances paid parking rates and stricter penalties for prohibited parking on July 4 to help manage crowds and improve safety. Cars parked illegally in areas with no parking signs, red curbs, fire hydrants or sidewalks will be towed to the Ocean City Police Department impound lot at 6501 Coastal Highway.
Officials recommend using Ocean City’s Beach Bus. For $4, riders can travel all day from 6 a.m. until 3 a.m. the next morning. The pass also allows transfers to the Park & Ride buses at no additional cost. The West Ocean City Park & Ride, located at 12848 Ocean Gateway, offers free parking but will have limited bus service from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Boaters should note the Route 50 drawbridge will not open at 10:25 p.m. or 10:55 p.m. It will reopen for marine traffic at 11:25 p.m.
Event organizers encourage everyone to arrive early, stay late and pay close attention to pedestrian traffic. People who park in the Inlet Lot are advised by the town to consider driving northbound on Baltimore Avenue to avoid backups on 1st Street and reach Route 50 or Route 90 faster.
More Fourth of July events on Delmarva can be found here.