July 4 Traffic Impacts

Fireworks light up the night sky and river below in St. Helens, Oregon.

The City of St. Helens is hosting a St. Helens Independence Day celebration. Along with events organized by local community groups, the day includes ceremonies honoring local veterans and celebrating our nation’s independence, vendors and food carts, music, a car show, and fireworks display.

As is typical with this yearly event, the City of St. Helens expects increased traffic throughout the day as people travel to the St. Helens Riverfront District. The heaviest congestion will likely take place between 8 p.m. -11:30 p.m.

 

SAFETY 

The City is working with Columbia River Fire and Rescue and the St. Helens Police Department to have fire, police, and emergency services on scene during the event. Additional portable toilets have been ordered for the event. Visitors are being strongly encouraged to purchase tailgate tickets for parking in the vacant St. Helens waterfront property and to be respectful of surrounding residential neighborhoods. 

 

STREET CLOSURES 

Strand Street and the Plaza Square will be closed to traffic on July 4 for this event.

 

EVENT TRAFFIC ROUTES 

Visitors with tailgate tickets are being directed to use Highway 30 to Columbia Boulevard and South 1st Street to enter the tailgate area. This will direct incoming traffic through mostly commercial areas of the city and minimize impacts to residential areas. Attendees usually begin arriving in the late morning and early afternoon. Expect heavier traffic than normal along these streets on July 4.

After the fireworks display is over, attendees will have the option to leave the event area using either South 1st Street or Plymouth Street. St. Helens officers will be stationed at key intersections to help direct the flow of traffic after the event. Expect gridlock traffic along South 1st Street, Plymouth Street, Old Portland Road, and St. Helens Street after the fireworks are finished until approximately 11:30 p.m.

 

RESIDENTS  

If possible, we highly encourage you to walk to this event. While we are urging visitors to purchase tickets and use the tailgate area, many people take advantage of the free on-street parking in the surrounding area and St. Helens street parking is generally full by late afternoon in the entire downtown area up to Lewis and Clark Elementary School.

 

Above all, we wish everyone a happy and safe Independence Day.

Independence Day event information: https://www.sthelensoregon.gov/community/page/st-helens-independence-day...

Tailgate ticket information: https://cityandtownevents.ticketleap.com/4th-of-july-fireworks-up-close-...

 

Posted July 2, 2021