Go forth for Fourth, but know your road closures

If you’re planning to listen to the musical performances, watch the fireworks or enjoy a picnic at Fort Vancouver’s annual Independence Day celebration on Monday, remember you’re probably not the only one enjoying the all-day festivities — or trying to find a place to park while navigating road closures.

General admission at the gate for anyone over the age of 12 is $7. Pre-sale tickets are $5 and available online through 8 p.m. today, or at any Clark County Fred Meyer store.

To purchase tickets, find a schedule of entertainment and activities, a map of the site or other information, visit www.fortvan.org/fourth.

The Fort Vancouver National Trust has announced street closures and is warning drivers that the area will be congested.

It’s best to take public transportation if possible. If not, here’s a list of road closures and areas expected to be busy:

• Fort Vancouver Way from Mill Plain Boulevard to Fourth Plain Boulevard including the median strip: No parking/tow-away zone from Saturday through Monday. After the fireworks, all traffic leaving the area will travel north on Fort Vancouver Way until midnight.

• Columbia River access from state Highway 14: Highway 14 will have access to the Columbia River waterfront trails, parks and restaurants until 9 p.m., an hour before the fireworks. Access will reopen immediately following the conclusion of the fireworks show.

All-day street closures Monday:

• Evergreen Boulevard from U Street west to Interstate 5

• Evergreen at East Reserve Street

• East Reserve south from Mill Plain

• Ninth Street at East Reserve

• Eighth Street at T Street

• Fifth and Sixth streets at U Street

• Mill Plain at Fort Vancouver Way

• Fort Vancouver Way south of Mill Plain

Street closures beginning at 6 p.m.:

• Mill Plain exit from I-5 north

• Left turns from the I-5 Mill Plain exit

• Mill Plain between East Reserve and Fort Vancouver Way

Street closures beginning at 8 p.m.:

• Grand Boulevard between Evergreen and Fifth

Street closures beginning at 9 p.m.:

• State Highway 14 at the Grove Street/Columbia House Boulevard exit

• Highway 14 at Columbia House/Columbia Way exit

• No east/west travel on McLoughlin Boulevard at Fort Vancouver Way

• Westbound lanes of McLoughlin at East Reserve

• Grand Boulevard at McLoughlin

• On Fort Vancouver Way, all three lanes will be northbound from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Fort Vancouver National Trust Parking:

• No fireworks, barbecues or recreational vehicles will be permitted. There is no re-entry privilege.

• Parking is available at Providence Academy, or Evergreen and C Street, for $10 per vehicle, cash only.

• Parking is available at Fifth and S streets for $10 per vehicle, cash only.

• Parking for people with disabilities will be available at the event site for a limited number of vehicles. Enter the site via the gate at Evergreen and Reserve (west of I-5 near the Academy). Proceed to Fifth Street as directed. Must display current state-issued ADA parking placard. Admission fee to the event applies.

Off-site parking:

• There is no general provision for parking motor homes, campers or trailers at the historic site or in the downtown Vancouver area.

• There is no parking at the sports fields south of Mill Plain between East Reserve and Fort Vancouver Way.

• All downtown parking meters, street spaces and city of Vancouver lots are free for the holiday.

• Parking is prohibited on many streets near the event including Highway 14, I-5 and Fort Vancouver Way.

C-Tran shuttle

C-Tran special event shuttles will provide free service to the fireworks celebration Monday from the transit center at Vancouver Mall. Shuttle service riders will receive $1 off general admission at the gate with proof of ridership. Parking is courtesy of Vancouver Mall.

Shuttle buses depart from the north lot of Vancouver Mall to the north gate of the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site about every 15 minutes between 6 and 8:30 p.m. Return service to the mall begins immediately after the fireworks display.

For more information about the shuttle, visit www.c-tran.com or call 360-695-0123 (TDD hearing impaired: 360-695-2760).