The Columbia Police Department officers will be stationed at various major intersections throughout the City to prevent traffic congestion and assist drivers/visitors as they begin their trek to view the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse.
Chief Skip Holbrook says,” We began our safety posture Friday at 11:00 a.m.
We anticipate considerable traffic congestion in the City of Columbia on Monday. We ask everyone traveling to pack their patience. We are considering the Total Solar Eclipse to be our large, weekend special event.”
As of now, there are no planned street closures for Monday, August 21, 2017.
CPD Officers have been given their weekend assignments, many of which involve manning heavily-traveled intersections and monitoring traffic and crowds at various locations including:
Major Intersections:
Assembly & Gervais Streets
Assembly & Taylor Streets
Assembly & Hampton Streets
Assembly & Laurel Streets
Assembly St. & Elmwood Avenue
Huger & Hampton Streets
Huger & Taylor Streets
Huger & Laurel Streets
Interstate I-126
Blossom & Huger Streets
Blossom & Assembly Streets
Elmwood Avenue & Main Street
Elmwood Avenue & Bull Street
Bull Street & Colonial Drive
Bull & Harden Streets
Entertainment Districts:
Five Points
The Vista
Main Street Corridor
Devine Street Corridor
Green Street Corridor
Riverfront Park
Finlay Park
South East Park
Additional Locations:
SC State Museum
Edventure Children’s Museum
Coble Plaza
Drew Wellness Center
City Garages
Owens Field Park
“We want visitors to feel welcomed when they arrive and have a comfort level during their stay.
They’ll notice a large police presence throughout the City,” says Chief Holbrook.
Columbia Fireflies Traffic: At the conclusion of the game, Monday, August 21, 2017, CPD officers will direct traffic out of Spirit Communications Park toward Bull Street (southbound) to 277.
Drivers on Colonial Drive will be routed to 277 from Harden Street. This effort will lessen potential traffic congestion after the game
Partnerships:
CPD and its law enforcement partner agencies will also be housed at the City of Columbia’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to mitigate concerns or issues, and answer calls for service.
Holbrook adds, “We cannot do this alone. Partnerships with city employees and law enforcement agencies are so valuable and help us collaboratively prepare for major events in the Midlands.”
Media Parking/Staging Areas:
Coble Plaza The lower parking lot to the left of Edventure Children’s Museu
Senate & Gist Streets There is a small parking lot at the corner of these roads. A walking path is connected from this parking lot to Coble Plaza and has beautiful views of the Gervais Street Bridge.
Finlay Park Several metered spaces along the Taylor Street side of the park will bagged for limited parking.
Owens Field Parking will be available in the grass area (to the right after entering the driveway).
Southeast Park Parking will be available in the upper area of the main parking lot. From Hazelwood, drivers will enter the third driveway on the left.
Parking is available to media representatives on the first-come, first-served basis.
Reminder:
Call 9-1-1 for emergencies only. The non-emergency dispatch number is (803) 252-2911.
Stay Connected:
Be sure to monitor Columbia Police Department (CPD) before, during and after the Total Solar Eclipse:https://elink.io/p/columbia-police-department-sc