July 4 Celebration Safety Message & Traffic Plan

ABINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Emergency Management & Planning
1166 OLD YORK ROAD
ABINGTON, PA 19001
267-536-1087

4th of July Celebration
Safety Message & Traffic Plan

On Thursday, July 4, 2019, the Greater Glenside Patriotic Association will be sponsoring the 116th Annual Independence Day Parade and Fireworks Display. Abington Township works closely with the Patriotic Association to ensure that a safe and memorable day is had by all. To ensure everyone’s safety, please adhere to the following guidelines:

Parade:

  • The parade begins at 4 p.m. and will last approximately 2 hours.
  • The parade route runs down Jenkintown Road from Edge Hill Road to Easton Road, then turns right and runs down Easton Road from Jenkintown Road to Waverly Road.
  • Jenkintown Road will be closed to all traffic between Tyson Avenue and Briarwood Road, and Easton Road will be closed to all traffic at Edge Hill Road starting at approximately 3:15 p.m. until the end of the parade.
  • Cars parked on the parade route will be towed starting at 11:00 a.m. on July 4th.
  • Please refrain from using any fireworks along the parade route.
  • If you See Something, Say Something! If you notice anything suspicious, please notify one of the Abington Police Officers that will be staged along the parade route. Have Fun!

Fireworks:

  • The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
  • Parking is available at Copper Beech Elementary School, as well as the Abington Junior High and Senior High, however due to construction, parking is extremely limited at the Abington Senior High School this year.
    • Additional parking is available at the Abington Free Library, Memorial Field, Highland Elementary School and Roslyn Elementary School.
  • Arrive early. Highland Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Jenkintown Road and Susquehanna Road starting at 8:30 p.m.
  • Edge Hill Road will be closed between Easton Road and Susquehanna starting at 7 p.m.
  • Parking regulations will be strictly enforced in the area of Highland Avenue and Jericho Manor, including ticketing and/or towing.
  • Parking at Mt. Vernon Garden Apartments on Easton Road is strictly for residents of Mt. Vernon. All others will be towed.
  • Please do not sit in any of the posted restricted areas, as this will delay the fireworks display from starting.
  • Please do not block any of the roadways on the Copper Beech or Junior/Senior High Campus.
  • Please do not bring any fireworks to the school campus.
  • In the event of a thunderstorm, please take shelter in your cars.
  • If you See Something, Say Something!

Traffic after the Fireworks:

  • Expect temporary traffic congestion in the area of Copper Beech and the Junior/Senior High Campus after the show. Please be patient and courteous. Everyone is trying to get home safely.
  • Watch for pedestrians when driving.
  • Pedestrians should cross only at designated cross walks.
  • If you park at Copper Beech in the south parking lot (closest to Charles Avenue), police will direct you to turn left out of the parking lot to head south on Easton Road.
  • If you park at Copper Beech in the north parking lot (across from Dairy Queen), police will direct you to turn right out of the parking lot to head north on Easton Road.
  • If you park at the Abington Junior High School, you can exit onto Susquehanna Road at Jericho Road or onto Highland Avenue at Tyler Avenue. If you exit onto Highland at Tyler, police will direct you to turn left onto Highland to head north on Highland toward Susquehanna Road.
  • If you park in at the Abington Senior High School student parking lot (behind the stadium), enter and exit from Ghost Road off of Highland Avenue. When you leave, you will be directed by police to turn right onto Highland to head south on Highland Avenue toward Jenkintown Road.
  • If you park in the Senior High faculty parking lot, you will be directed to exit across Highland Avenue to Canterbury Road. Take Canterbury Road straight until Old York Road where you will be directed to turn right to head south on Old York Road.
  • Traffic from Jenkintown Road and Susquehanna Road will not be allowed to turn on to Highland Avenue until after the fireworks traffic has subsided.

Consumer Fireworks Safety

  • Class C Fireworks, otherwise known as “Consumer Grade” Fireworks are now legal to purchase in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, however there are still restrictions on their use.
  • Class C fireworks include firecrackers, Roman Candles, bottle rockets, and similar fireworks that contain a maximum of 50 milligrams of explosive material.
  • Class C fireworks can cause serious or fatal injuries and have caused structure fires in the past. Please use them responsibly
  • Restrictions on the use of Class C fireworks include the following:
    • They cannot be ignited or discharged on a public or private property without express permission of the property owner.
    • They cannot be discharged from or within a motor vehicle or building.
    • They cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
    • They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure.
    • They cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.

For more information on the current Pennsylvania Fireworks law, go to the Pennsylvania State Police Website at https://www.psp.pa.gov/public-safety/pages/fireworks-safety.aspx

 

 

 

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