Boston residents and visitors, take note of the upcoming traffic advisories and plan your travel accordingly as the city embraces a flurry of events in the coming weeks, notably the Chinese New Year Celebration in Chinatown and the Red Bull Cliff Snowboard Event downtown. The City of Boston's official announcement highlights street closures and parking restrictions to accommodate both the festivities and the necessary safety measures.
The annual Chinese New Year Celebration with its exuberant Lion Dance is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, precisely when revelers will congregate in Chinatown to mark the year anew - the streets there will be subject to parking restrictions all day; expect to find Beach Street, Harrison Avenue, Hudson Street, Oxford Street, and Tyler Street with limitations. Similarly, the adrenaline-packed Red Bull Snowboarding Event transforms City Hall Plaza on February 21, causing street closures along Congress Street from noon to 6 p.m. and parts of Cambridge Street between 2 and 3 p.m., for both events the Boston Transportation Department and city's Police Department recommend the use of public transit walk, or bike to beat the traffic.
Looking further ahead, the iconic Saint Patrick's Day parade will alter its course through South Boston on March 15, following a "historical" route in reverse from East Sixth Street instead of East Fifth Street - visitors should be prepared for detours and plan alternative routes. Meanwhile, a long-term advisory remains in effect for Roslindale’s Canterbury Street Bridge, closed indefinitely since September 12 following a MassDOT inspection, with maintained pedestrian access and detour routes involving Hyde Park Avenue, Cummins Highway, and several local streets.
For all these events, there's a clear emphasis on public safety and the smooth operation of the city's infrastructure, as authorities encourage attendance while asking for cooperation from the public to avoid bringing cars into congested areas – plan your trip with the above information in mind, or find yourself subject to delays, especially if you're driving.
