The City of Batavia and the City of St. Charles are issuing notices regarding local road closures and detours due to the July 4th fireworks celebrations.
Batavia will host its annual sky-high fireworks concert from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4, and the Batavia Police Department is advising motorists to expect delays throughout the evening.
The roads expected to be most affected are Randall Road from Main Street to Fabyan Parkway, W. Wilson Street, Main Street and Route 31 through downtown.
The viewing areas will be located at Engstrom Park on Main Street at Millview Drive and at the Batavia High School athletic fields between Main Street and W. Wilson Street.
Prior to the show, Main Street will be closed to all traffic between Feece Drive and Pitz Lane once the public parking lots at Batavia High School and Batavia Covenant Church are full.
Once Main Street is closed, all traffic will be diverted to Wilson Street.
Motorists leaving the event area or traveling in West Batavia after the show will experience significant traffic delays. All routes will have barricades and detours to assist motorists around the event site.
Motorists are encouraged to plan accordingly and allow plenty of time when travelling in and around the event area.
As a reminder, alcoholic beverages and pets are prohibited in the event viewing areas. Food vendors will be on site at Engstrom Park starting at 5 p.m.
Fireworks and sparklers are strictly prohibited within city limits.
This year, the fireworks will take place at Langum Park, located at 7th and Madison Avenues. The police department has announced that some temporary road closures will be required during the fireworks display, as well as some parking restrictions that will be in effect on the day of the event.
St. Charles officers, the Emergency Management Agency and Kane County Office of Emergency Management personnel will be at key locations east and west of the Fox River to help move vehicles around temporary road closures, according to a city news release.
The following routes will be affected:
During the fireworks (Starts around 9:30 p.m.):
- Riverside Avenue Southbound / Route 25 – Traffic on Riverside Avenue and Route 25 southbound will be detoured east to 7th Avenue South. Motorists will then travel south on 7th Avenue, where they will be redirected west to Riverside Avenue South / Route 25 via Moore Avenue.
- Riverside Avenue/Route 25 Northbound to Moore Avenue – Riverside Avenue/Route 25 northbound will be detoured eastbound on Moore Avenue to South 7th Avenue. Vehicles will then be assisted by officers to travel northbound on South 7th Avenue to Illinois Avenue and then westbound again to Route 25.
- Prairie Street Bridge – The Prairie Street Bridge will be closed fifteen minutes prior to the start of the fireworks and will reopen once the fireworks have ended.
After the fireworks
- South 7th Avenue between Madison Avenue and Fern Avenue. The roadway will be closed for a short period of time, allowing pedestrians to safely exit to the east side of Langum Park.
- South 2nd Street / Route 31, between Prairie Street and Mosedale Street. This portion of the roadway may be closed for a short period of time, allowing pedestrians to exit Mount Saint Mary Park.
To accommodate the high volume of traffic, additional parking restrictions will be posted and in effect on the following local streets, according to the city. Motorists are encouraged to carefully check posted restrictions before parking.
- South Avenue from Riverside Avenue to 7th Avenue South.
- 6th Avenue South, from Adams Avenue to Riverside Avenue.
- Madison Avenue. From 6th Avenue South to 7th Avenue South.
- Mosedale and Horne Streets from Geneva Road to South 3rd Street.
- Brownstone Drive, Cobblestone Drive and Bluestone Drive.
- Horne Street from S. 3rd Street to Geneva Road.
- Edward Avenue from 7th Avenue S to Nicholas Avenue.
- South 10th Street from Madison Avenue to Fern Avenue.
- Fern Avenue from 7th Avenue South to 12th Avenue South.
For safety reasons, no viewing of fireworks will be allowed on the fifth level of the west side parking garage, according to the city.
The Indiana Street pedestrian bridge will also be closed starting July 3, according to the city.
Motorists should be aware that there will be heavy traffic before and after the fireworks. Delays are to be expected and alternative travel routes should be considered.
