What to know about transportation, parking for Burlington's July 3 fireworks

Heading to the Burlington waterfront July 3 for the Independence Day Celebration? So are thousands of other people. Here's what to know about parking, transportation and traffic.

The city is expecting thousands of visitors to spend the evening downtown enjoying music, food and fireworks. Planning your parking or transportation ahead can prevent long wait times when departing the event.

Following the fireworks, Main Street will be closed to through traffic except buses and authorized vehicles.

• All traffic will flow from the waterfront east up Main Street. There will be a dedicated bus lane leaving the city, heading east on Main Street.  
• All north and south traffic will be held at Main Street until 11:30 p.m. Traffic flow on College Street, Cherry Street and Pearl Street will be directed to Colchester Avenue or Route 127. Motorists are encouraged to use these designated streets and avoid neighborhoods or cross-town routes.

The Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department predicts the wait time leaving the parking lots to be at least an hour from the time the fireworks end.

Driving

• Perkins Pier Parking: $3/hour ($12 max) for cars and $12 for boat trailers.
• Waterfront Pease parking lot: Reserved for Handicap/ADA parking and seasonal boaters on a first-come, first-served basis, until the lot is full.  
• Oakledge Park lots: $2/hour. Parking is limited at this lot; the Parks Department advises riding or walking if possible.
• North Beach lot: $3/hour ($12 max). Parking is limited at this lot; the Parks Department advises riding or walking if possible.
• City garages - Downtown (Lakeview/College Streets), Marketplace Garage: $15/car.

All parking lots off Lake Street will exit up Depot Street onto North Avenue at the end of the night. 

Accessible parking spaces are available at Perkins Pier, the Pease lot and North lot next to the Skatepark. All parking is limited, and space is not guaranteed later into the evening.

Shuttle bus

A shuttle bus will be running between University of Vermont's Gutterson Fieldhouse parking lot and the waterfront at 1 Main St. Run by Green Mountain Transit, the fare is $2, and they accept cash, credit or debit, GMT Smart Card or Ride Ready Mobile App.

Buses will run from 3 to 11:15 p.m., with the last departing shuttle from UVM leaving at 8:30 p.m.

The Burlington Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Department recommends this is the most efficient way of getting in and out of town that evening.

Boat traffic

Boats are recommended to arrive at their destinations by 7 p.m., as the U.S. Coast Guard will enact a full harbor closure by 8 p.m.

Boat traffic from King Street Dock or Perkins Pier should exit to the south only. A No-Boat-Traffic-Zone has been extended to include the entire inner harbor. This safety zone is strictly enforced. The Perkins Pier and Waterfront boat ramps will be closed during this time.  

All watercraft, including canoes and kayaks, must have working lights if they are on the water after dusk. Boaters can expect crowded conditions in Burlington Bay throughout the day of the event. Please proceed with caution while traversing. 

Biking or train

The Parks Department encourages cycling to the event if possible. Free valet bike parking by Local Motion is available at Lake and College streets. Be cautious with the high level of car traffic on the roads, and foot traffic on the causeway.

The train can also be a fun option if you're coming from Vergennes. The Vermont Rail Liberty Limited train will leave Vergennes at 6 p.m. and arrive at Waterfront Park One Main Station at 7:15 p.m. The train will depart One Main Station at 10:30 p.m. Cost is $35 roundtrip.

Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com.