Revelers planning to ring in the new year in downtown Memphis faced road closures starting at 6:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, according to announcements from the Memphis Police Department. The department emphasized that the closures were crucial for ensuring public safety during the festivities. Action News 5 reported that the affected areas included portions of Second Street, Beale Street, B.B. King Boulevard, and other downtown locations, with traffic changes implemented to secure the perimeter around Beale Street.

As detailed by The Commercial Appeal, hindrances to the normal flow of traffic were due to the MPD's desire to establish a "halo" of protection around the central hub of New Year's Eve festivities. This preventative measure was designed to maintain order amidst the increased presence of pedestrians and party-goers. The strategic positioning of roadblocks not only aimed to streamline the movement of crowds but also to assist in the management of vehicle traffic.

Assistant Chief Don Crowe was quoted by The Commercial Appeal: "Our team has been working for a long, long time on a safety plan for this event... What you'll see is a protection zone, a halo around Beale Street". Crowe emphasized that despite the closures, parking would remain accessible and urged celebrants to park legally to avoid exacerbating the congestion.

Moving through the downtown area would have required some planning, as street after street was systematically shut down. Peabody Place at Ida B. Wells, for instance, was closed to southbound traffic, while Fourth Street at Beale shuttered to westbound traffic. The closures ensured each participant's passage into the new year was as safeguarded as it was celebratory.