NORFOLK, Va. — Thousands will head to Norfolk's Town Point Park this weekend for Harborfest 2024, the city's annual celebration of the maritime and Naval community that makes Hampton Roads so special. The event will put a dent in traffic, though.
Several roads in Downtown Norfolk will be closed from Thursday at 10 a.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m. To avoid traffic issues and limited parking, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) encourages people to use public transportation to get to Harborfest throughout the weekend.
Road closures, detours in Downtown Norfolk for Harborfest 2024
Boush Street
According to Norfolk city officials, the southbound lanes will stay open from Brambleton Avenue to City Hall Avenue. The southbound median turn lane will stay open from City Hall Avenue to Plume Street for garage access.
The northbound lanes will stay open from Main Street to Brambleton Avenue, officials said.
Waterside Drive
The eastbound lanes will be closed from Main Street to Martin's Line while organizers set up the event. All lanes from Atlantic Street to St. Paul's Boulevard will stay open.
The westbound lanes will close from Atlantic Street to Main Street for event set-up.
Martin's Lane
The southbound lanes will be closed from Main Street to Waterside Drive, but the city will maintain access to the TowneBank/Prince Books parking lot and the World Trade Center loading dock.
Atlantic Street
The northbound lanes will stay open from Waterside Drive to Main Street, while the southbound lanes will be closed in the same area.
Commercial Place
This will be open from Waterside Drive to Main Street during the event closures.
Elizabeth River Trail
A detour will be in place from Thursday at 5 p.m. to Sunday at 11 p.m. Tap or click here for a detour route map.
People encouraged to use public transit to get to Harborfest
HRT officials said it will provide additional Tide light rail and Elizabeth River Ferry service to keep people moving throughout the event.
Starting Friday, the Tide will increase frequencies to 15-minute intervals from 10 p.m. to midnight, according to HRT officials. On Saturday, light rail service will go up to 10-minute intervals at 4:30 p.m., with additional trains as demand warrants and after the fireworks show. The Tide will operate every 15 minutes on Sunday, from 10:55 a.m. to 9 p.m.
HRT's ferry service between Portsmouth and Norfolk's Waterside will be augmented by additional boats, HRT officials said.
On Friday, two additional ferries will be added, one from 11:45 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. and the other from 3:30 to 10:45 p.m. On Saturday, up to four ferries will shuttle back and forth during peak times and after fireworks. Sunday's service will be supplemented by a second boat from 11:40 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and a third from noon until 6 p.m.
HRT is also offering one-day and round-trip electronic tickets that can be purchased ahead of time. The tickets are $4 per person and are good for two, one-way trips on both the light rail and ferry.
How people can stay updated on Harborfest traffic impacts
People can text "HARBORFEST" to 888-777 for event-related street closures, parking, inclement weather updates and emergency alerts.
13News Now's Christopher Collette contributed to this article.
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