Major Traffic Delays Expected In Fairfield Due To Fireworks

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield residents should expect delays, road closures and other restrictions Monday as a result of the Independence Day Fireworks Show, which was postponed from Saturday due to predicted rain.

Fireworks will explode just after dark, around 9:15 p.m., off the Long Island Sound, and the show can be seen easily from Penfield or Jennings beaches.

Residents should plan for significant delays after the fireworks on the Post Road and all streets leading to and from the beach area, according to Fairfield police. Many area towns are not hosting fireworks displays, so officials anticipate a large increase in attendance at Fairfield beaches and in boat traffic.

Parking

Beach parking lots can be accessed either with a season beach pass or by purchasing a daily pass for $50 per vehicle. Daily passes will be limited to the first 300 vehicles at Jennings Beach and the first 100 vehicles at Penfield Beach. A daily parking fee will also be charged to park at the Ash Creek Open Space parking lot the day of the fireworks.

Parking lots will fill. Once the threshold is reached, no additional non-permit vehicles will be allowed into the beach parking areas. Police advise that residents arrive early so as not to be disappointed.

Traffic

The streets listed below will be posted Monday with “No Parking Tow-Away.”

• Old Post Road
• Reef Road south of Richard White Way (1 Rod Highway)
• Penfield Road
• Lalley Boulevard
• Rowland Road
• Edward Street
• South Benson Road
• Portions of Fairfield Beach Road
• Riverside Drive
• Turney Road

Any vehicles parked in the designated tow zone areas after 5 p.m. Monday will be towed at the owner’s expense. Parking violations on streets in the beach area will be strictly enforced. Towed vehicles will be taken to the Fairfield Fire Training Center, 205 Richard White Way. Owners may claim their vehicle and pay fees up to one hour after the conclusion of the fireworks. Otherwise, the vehicles will be towed to Sport Hill Service Center, 2629 Easton Turnpike.

Closures

Once the fireworks have begun, streets leading from the beach area will become “one way” from the beach to the Post Road. No traffic will be permitted to go south of the Post Road into the beach area until all exiting traffic has cleared. In addition, Rowland Road and Edward Street will be closed to all traffic to allow unrestricted access for emergency vehicles. Interstate 95 exit ramps at Exits 22 South and 22 North will also be closed once the fireworks begin.

Exiting

At the end of the fireworks, all vehicles must follow designated exit routes and proceed to the Post Road. In order to reduce cross traffic, quickly clear the beach area and improve pedestrian safety, most vehicles will be prohibited from turning onto the Post Road or Old Post Road.

Vehicles leaving South Benson Marina must exit to Riverside Drive and then to the Post Road, before proceeding north onto Grasmere Avenue or east onto Fairfield Avenue.

Vehicles exiting Jennings Beach must exit using South Benson Road, which will be converted into two northbound lanes. Vehicles in the right lane must turn onto Old Post Road and proceed to the Post Road at the traffic circle. Vehicles in the left lane must proceed across the Post Road and onto North Benson Road. They will not be able to turn onto the Post Road.

Vehicles leaving Penfield Beach must exit Fairfield Beach Road using either Beach Road, Penfield Road or Reef Road. Traffic on Beach Road will be directed across the Post Road and onto Round Hill Road. Traffic on Penfield Road will be directed to Mill Plain Road via Old Post Road and the Post Road. Traffic on Reef Road will be directed to the Post Road via Oldfield Road and Sasco Hill Road.

To maximize convenience, vehicles planning to travel west (toward Westport) after the fireworks should park at Penfield Beach. Those intending to travel east (toward Bridgeport), should park at Jennings Beach.

The following recommendations for parking are based on the neighborhood to which residents will be returning:

• Southport: Penfield Beach, exit using Reef Road.
• University: Penfield Beach, exit using Beach Road, or Jennings Beach, exit using South Benson Road in the left lane.
• North Stratfield: Jennings Beach, exit using South Benson Road in the left lane.
• Stratfield: South Benson Marina or Jennings Beach, exit using South Benson Road in the right lane.
• Tunxis Hill: South Benson Marina or Jennings Beach, exit using South Benson Road in the right lane.
• Fairfield Woods: Jennings Beach, exit using South Benson Road in the left lane.
• Lake Mohegan: Penfield Beach, exit using Penfield Road.
• Greenfield Hill: Penfield Beach, exit using Penfield Road.

To view an interactive map of departure routes, visit fpdct.com/fireworks-departure-routes.

Residents who live south of the Post Road are advised to walk or bike to the fireworks and not take a vehicle.

Drivers picking up a spectator after the fireworks will not be permitted to access roadways south of the Post Road, and are advised to wait at the New York-bound side of the Fairfield Center train station via Mill Plain Road or Unquowa Road, or to wait until traffic clears to enter the beach area.

Pedestrians should be aware of the high volume of vehicle traffic upon conclusion of the fireworks, and use sidewalks or designated walking areas where available.

More information

Fireworks, including sparklers, will not be allowed on any of the beaches or parking areas. No alcohol, smoking, vaping or portable grills are permitted at any town beach. Police will be strictly monitoring the beach areas for violations. There will be an increased police presence Monday in the beach area.

Report any suspicious or unusual activity to police at 203-254-4800 or dial 911 in an emergency. For more information, visit www.fairfieldct.org/fireworks.