Red, White & Boom road closures in effect this week in downtown Columbus

Columbus' annual summer extravaganza, Red, White and Boom!, now in its 42nd year, covers 2.5 square miles of Downtown, making it the city's biggest single-day event.

With last year's attendance being between 350,000 and 450,000 people, this year's July 3 event is sure to bring a crowd to Downtown.

There will be many street closures in Downtown and the surrounding areas.

Washington Boulevard is currently closed from West Broad Street to West Main Street, reopening July 4 at an unannounced time.

From Monday until an undetermined time on Thursday, Civic Center Drive will be closed from West Broad Street to West Main Street. (Civic Center Drive access to the Supreme Court of Ohio building garage and loading dock will be maintained until noon on Tuesday.)

Beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Belle Street will close between Broad and Main streets, then at 5 p.m. Marconi Boulevard from Long Street to Broad Street will close, as will the north curb lane of West Broad Street from the Cumberland Trail marker to Belle Street. All of these closures will be in effect until 6 a.m. Thursday.

Get the views: Parties, parks and other places offer prime viewing away from Red, White & Boom! crowds

Numerous streets will close Wednesday before and during the parade, including:

From 2-7 p.m. (for parade formation):

• Main Street between Second Street and the Scioto River
• Rich Street between Scioto River and McDowell Street
• Starling Street between Rich and Town streets
• Belle Street between Rich and Town streets
• Lucas Street between Rich and Town streets
• Civic Center Boulevard between Mound and Main streets

Depending on the size of the parade, additional space may be requested.

Details: What you need to know about parking, street closures and more for Red, White & Boom!

From 5:15 until approximately 7:30 p.m. (for parade movement):

• Lynn Street between Front and High streets
• Main Street between the Scioto River and High Street
• Gay Street between Front and High streets
• Long Street between Marconi Boulevard and High Street
• Spring Street between Marconi Boulevard and High Street
• Lafayette Street between Front and High streets
• Nationwide Boulevard between Ludlow Avenue and High Street
• Spring Street between High Street and Neil Avenue
• Hickory Street between Front Street and Marconi Boulevard
• Rich Street between High Street and Civic Center Drive
• Town Street between Belle and High streets
• Front Street between Main and Spring streets
• State Street between Front and High streets
• Rich Street between the Scioto River and McDowell Street

Additionally, all streets south of Spring Street, north of Mound Street, east of McDowell Street and west of Third Street will be closed from 5:30 p.m. until midnight for fireworks.

Also on July 3, the Broad Street bridge will be closed to motorists at 5:30 p.m. and to foot traffic at 9 p.m. (Times are subject to change.) Viewing the fireworks from the Broad Street bridge is prohibited.

What's the parking situation?

Parking will be limited, so it's best to reserve a spot in advance. To book parking near Battelle Riverfront Park, Bicentennial Park or McFerson Commons, go to redwhiteandboom.org/parking-directions . You can also find and reserve parking with Park Columbus through the ParkColumbus app or at parkcolumbus.parkmobile.io .

If you prefer to take your chances on event day, there are numerous garages and surface lots in the vicinity.

Accessible parking is available on Gay Street between High and Front streets, as well as on the north side of Second Street from Mound Street to Civic Center Drive.

Verhoff encourages attendees to skip the traffic jams and parking costs by using the round-trip "Zoom to Boom!" service offered by COTA. Meet at one of four designated Park & Ride locations — listed at cota.com/boom — to pay for your trip (credit or debit only) and receive a color-coded wristband that will direct you to a corresponding COTA loading zone after Red, White and Boom!

Service from COTA Park & Rides to Red, White & Boom! runs from 6-8 p.m. Return trips begin at 10:30 p.m. and continue until approximately midnight.

The cost is $4 for adults, $2 for children 5-12 and free for kids 4 and younger. Trips also can be paid for in advance using the Transit app at transitapp.com .

bpaschal@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Red, White & Boom road closures in effect this week in downtown Columbus