Visitors driving to the Symetra Family 4th celebration Monday can expect several traffic changes designed to increase safety and ease their exit out of downtown Bellevue.
The July 4 celebration will be in Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 N.E. Fourth St., from 2-10:30 p.m., with the fireworks display starting at 10:05 p.m. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend.
Following the fireworks, traffic signals at downtown intersections will be adjusted to improve traffic flow, traffic will be rerouted and police will direct traffic at key intersections. Drivers should expect delays.
The following streets adjacent to the Downtown Park will be closed to vehicle traffic during the display: 100th Avenue Northeast, from Main to Northeast Fifth Street; and Northeast Fourth Street, from 100th Avenue Northeast to Bellevue Way.
Following the fireworks display, there will be several traffic revisions designed to clear vehicles out of downtown as quickly as possible:
* Traffic exiting Bellevue Square mall northbound on 100th Avenue must travel north to Northeast 10th Street (no right turns will be allowed onto Northeast Eighth Street).
* Traffic exiting Bellevue Square onto eastbound Northeast Eighth Street must turn left (north) onto Bellevue Way (this is a change from previous years).
* Traffic exiting Bellevue Square onto eastbound Northeast Fourth Street will not be permitted to turn onto Bellevue Way; and
* Southbound traffic on Bellevue Way will not be permitted to turn onto Northeast Fourth Street (drivers may turn on Second Street, Main Street or Interstate 90).
