| SARATOGA SPRINGS & SCHENECTADY Expect heavy traffic, road closures this weekend BY SHENANDOAH BRIERE The Daily Gazette
With many large events taking place from Thursday to Sunday in Schenectady and Saratoga people should take precautions while trying to get to places. In Schenectady masses are anticipated to gather downtown Friday for SummerNight from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event, which attracts around 20,000 people, features two-time Grammy winning hip-hop group Arrested Development. A number of streets will be closed for the event, according to a press release from the county. No parking will be allowed on State Street between Broadway and Nott Terrace and Jay Street in front of City Hall or on Clinton and Barrett streets between State and Franklin, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 14. Cars parked in violation of this restriction will be ticketed and/or towed. Starting at 10 a.m. Friday State Street between Broadway and Lafayette Street and Jay Street in front of City Hall will be closed, with eastbound traffic being diverted along Broadway and westbound traffic to Lafayette Street. From 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. State Street between Lafayette Street and Nott Terrace will be closed to all traffic. Some CDTA Bus Routes will also be rerouted on Friday and that information can be found at www.cdta.org/service-advisories for. There will be free parking all day Friday at Park Schenectady lots, including the Schenectady Municipal Parking Garage. This weekend also features Festa at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish on 1255 Pleasant St. The event is expected to draw a large crowd as well over the weekend. In Saratoga Springs Union Avenue and surrounding streets will see heavy traffic as people head to the track, which opens Thursday and has meets extending into the weekend. Route 50, Route 9 and the North-way are also likely to be packed with cars heading either to the track or to one of the concerts happening at Saratoga Performing Arts Center this weekend. Dave Matthews Band hits SPAC’s stage Friday and Saturday night, followed by Jason Aldean on Sunday. “Traffic is expected to be heavy Friday through Sunday’s concert,” said Lt. Paul Veitch, the public information officer for the Saratoga Springs Police Department. “We have increased staffing for the weekend and have a dedicated Traffic Safety Unit that will be responsible for getting patrons in and out of the track and Patrol Division officers to assist with traffic as needed for SPAC shows.” He said the state Park Police handle traffic issues for state park, where SPAC is located. “The concerts are expected to draw between 50,000 and 55,000 concert goers this weekend,” he said. The track saw over 103,000 people for opening weekend in 2022. Veitch also said the increased traffic will cause delays and parking in downtown Saratoga Springs will be limited. Reporter Shenandoah Briere can be reached at sbriere@dailygazette.net. Follow her on Twitter @ByBriere. | |