Photo: Courtesy of The City of Salem
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Salem announced anticipated October road closures on Tuesday as it prepares for an influx of visitors.
The city asked people planning on visiting not to drive into downtown Salem, especially on weekends, as there will be heavy traffic and severely limited parking. If you need to drive, the city said to plan on parking at a free satellite parking lot and take the free shuttle service downtown.
Visitors can also take the Salem Ferry or ride the commuter rail into the city.
During the weekends of September 30 and October 1, 7, 8, and 9, 14 and 15, 21 and 22, and 28 and 29, the following streets will be closed to traffic and no on-street parking will be allowed from 9 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.:
- Essex Street from Hawthorne Boulevard to New Liberty Street
- Essex Street from Barton Square to Washington Street
On October 5th, the city will hold a Grand Opening Parade.
During the Haunted Happenings Parade, roads along the parade route will be closed to traffic.
"Route 1A from Derby Street to Brown Street will be closed to traffic from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Other road closures will be Congress Street, Washington Street, Essex Street from Washington Street to Union Street, Central Street, Front Street, and Washington Square West, North, and South. There will be no parking tow zones along the entire parade route," the city said.
The following chart from the City of Salem outlines what road will be closed and when during Haunted Happenings:
Photo: Courtesy of The City of Salem
Parking bans will be in place on October 5th on the following streets between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.:
- Congress Street both sides from Derby Street to Harbor Street.
- Essex Street from Washington Street to Hawthorne Boulevard.
- Central Street both sides from Charter Street to Derby Street.
- Derby Street both sides from Congress Street to Lafayette Street.
- Front Street both sides from Washington Street to Lafayette Street.
- Washington Square both sides from Essex Street to Brown Street.
- Parking meter spaces at the intersection of Charter Street, Front Street, and Central Street.
- Washington Street between Essex Street and Front Street, metered spaces.
Vehicles parked along the streets will be towed.
The following roads will be closed on October 5th from 6:00 p.m. until around 9:30 p.m.:
- Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
- Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to Central Street.
- Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street, which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
- Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street.
- Essex Street will be closed at Washington Street.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok