For those planning to attend the Boston Marine Week festivities, which run from today, August 20, through Sunday, August 24, the Boston Transportation Department advises leaving your car at home. Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or take public transit to navigate the crowded city streets. Information about Bluebikes, the regional bike-share service, and details on the MBTA can be found on their respective websites.
Marine Week, which is to be hosted at the historic Boston Common, is not just a showcase for the branch of the armed forces but also an event that calls for a bit of logistical gymnastics. "Large propeller driven aircraft" will be touching down and then taking off at the beginning and end of the festival. Taking cue from the Boston.gov announcement, transport officials are warning that these movements might kick up quite the debris storm.
Driving into the thick of the city might leave you circling for a spot fruitlessly. Parking restrictions are scheduled on Charles, Beacon, and Tremont Streets on the days in question. Speaking of which, for those determined to arrive by car, better make sure your destination isn’t on either side of Charles Street from Boylston Street to Beacon Street, nor on both sides of Beacon Street from Charles Street to Joy Street, nor on the east side of Tremont Street at certain meters.
Boston Traffic Advisory states that public safety is at the root of these measures, emphasizing the need to "minimize property damage" during the aircraft landings and takeoffs. But fear not, the MBTA has a tip for the transit riders among us: Purchase a round-trip ticket instead of a one-way for a faster return trip from the events. With the transportation department bracing for high turnout and the expected pageantry of military might, it's all about planning ahead.
To avoid any inconvenient hitches, attendees are encouraged to keep abreast of updates and plan their routes accordingly.
