Prepare for parking challenges, road closures for the Fourth on the River!

City officials released a comprehensive traffic control and parking plan Monday for Friday’s Fourth on the River celebration, warning attendees to expect delays and plan alternative routes around downtown.

The annual event at Louise Hays Park typically draws thousands of visitors, creating significant congestion immediately after the 9:45 p.m. fireworks display. Officials say traffic delays usually last less than one hour but urge drivers to remain patient and drive cautiously.

Major road closures begin at 6 p.m.

The city will close both northbound lanes on the Sidney Baker Street/Highway 16 bridge to allow emergency personnel access. Thompson Drive/Spur 98 and Water Street near City Hall and the parking garage also will close from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for safe pedestrian crossing.

Traffic officers, signage and barricades will direct the post-event flow. Police warn that bypassing or disregarding traffic control devices or personnel is unlawful.

Mandatory traffic patterns take effect after fireworks

Southbound traffic on Sidney Baker Street must continue south and cannot turn onto Park Lane. Vehicles leaving River Hills Mall parking lot must turn right south onto Sidney Baker Street.

Cars exiting the Office Max/H-E-B parking lot, including City South Street, must turn right north onto Sidney Baker Street. Hill Country Drive and Lehman Drive traffic must turn right south onto Sidney Baker Street.

La Casa Street and Valero traffic must turn right north onto Sidney Baker Street. Eastbound traffic on Thompson Drive must turn right onto Cully Drive, while northbound traffic on Cully Drive must turn left onto Thompson Drive.

Free downtown parking available

Louise Hays Park will close to all vehicle traffic for the entire day Friday. The city offers free parking in the downtown parking garage on Clay Street.

Pedestrians can enter the park through three access points: the main entrance at Louise Hays Park on Thompson Drive, the Lehmann-Monroe Park entrance on Park Lane, or the sidewalk connection near Park Lane Apartments.

The Kerrville River Trail and the ramp and bridge behind the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library remain open throughout most of the day. However, Tranquility Island and the river trail section from Francisco Lemos Street through the island will close at 8 p.m. for fireworks preparation.

Those areas will reopen once the Kerrville Fire Department confirms safety after the fireworks display concludes.

For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (830) 257-7300 or visit kerrvilletx.gov.