Hundreds of Metro police officers will have a very visible presence downtown Thursday to enhance the safety and enjoyment of the more than 250,000 persons expected to attend Let Freedom Sing!, featuring one of the nation’s largest fireworks displays and a free concert by Brett Eldredge and other artists.
The police department reminds event goers to be mindful of their surroundings, and that if they see something suspicious or concerning, say something to a nearby officer or telephone 615-880-1515. Citizens are also advised to treat their personal belongings as if they were in an airport and not leave them unattended. Unattended items are subject to disposal. Coolers and backpacks ARE NOT permitted.
The music begins at 12 noon Thursday on the stage at Broadway and 5th Avenue. Parking Thursday will be available at Nissan Stadium for $10, Metro Courthouse Garage for $15, Nashville Public Library Garage for $14 ($10 after 5 p.m.), and the Music City Center Garage for $15. Additional parking information is available at http://www.parkitdowntown.com.
Taxis can drop off and pick up on 7th Avenue South at Broadway. The three ride-sharing locations for pick up and drop off are: Korean Veterans Boulevard from 2nd Avenue to 8th Avenue at the bagged meters; Deaderick Street from 3rd Avenue to 6th Avenue at the bagged meters; and James Robertson Parkway from 3rd Avenue North to Gay Street at the bagged meters.
Street closures include:
- Broadway between 1st and 7th Avenues;
- 1st Avenue from Korean Veterans Boulevard to Union Street;
- Molloy Street from 1st Avenue South to 2nd Avenue South;
- Demonbreun Street from 1st Avenue South to 2nd Avenue South;
- All numbered streets will be closed from 2nd to 6th Avenues. They will be closed between Commerce Street and Demonbreun Street. These streets will start closing at 7 a.m. on the 4th of July. Access will be given to parking lots and garages.
The Woodland Street Bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic at 8 p.m. Wednesday and will then be available only to pedestrians. The Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge will close to citizens at 8 p.m. and will not be available for the viewing of fireworks due to it being in the fallout zone. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.
Area residents are cautioned against stopping on the shoulders of the interstate system to watch the downtown fireworks display. Stopping/parking on the interstate is inherently dangerous. Officers will be on the lookout for such vehicles and motorists are subject to being ticketed. Vehicles left abandoned on the interstate will be towed.
After the fireworks display, the police department will deploy a specific egress plan to move traffic out of the downtown area as efficiently as possible.
- Vehicles parked on the north side of Broadway will be directed to the west on Commerce Street, Church Street, Union Street and Charlotte Avenue;
- Vehicles parked on the south side of Broadway will be directed to the east or west on Korean Veterans Boulevard and to the south on 8th Avenue;
- Vehicles parked on the Nissan Stadium campus will be directed east on Woodland and Shelby Streets to the interstate system;
- Vehicles parked on the north side of Nissan Stadium will be directed east on Woodland Street and north on North 1st Street to the interstate system;
- Vehicles parked on the south side of Nissan Stadium will be directed to take Davidson Street to South 5th Street to the interstate system;
- Vehicles parked on the south side of Korean Veterans Boulevard will be directed south on 4th and 8th Avenues.
The police department reminds Nashvillians that it is illegal to use fireworks in Davidson County, with the exception of properly permitted public displays. Officers will monitor neighborhood complaints. Violations could result in the issuance of citations and the confiscation of fireworks.
