Denver police have released their plan for handling crowds and heavy traffic on Federal Boulevard on Thursday (Cinco de Mayo) and this weekend.
"Residents should anticipate heavy traffic on Federal Boulevard on May 5th, 7th, and 8th," police said.
Denver police said their staff met with residents and groups to formulate a plan.
"The result of these meetings is the creation of a traffic plan that officials believe will maximize safety, relieve traffic congestion and minimize the impact of the increased traffic and noise on neighborhoods," police said.
Denver Police plan
Traffic will be allowed to cross Federal Boulevard freely until traffic congestion increases. Once this occurs, east/west traffic across Federal Boulevard will be restricted to major intersections: Louisiana Ave., Mississippi Ave., Kentucky Ave., Alameda Ave., and US-6.
The proposed traffic plan will operate in three phases:
- Phase One will allow traffic flow along Federal Blvd. Police personnel will be staffing static posts along Federal Blvd. Side streets will not be barricaded during this phase.
- Phase Two will be implemented as the number of celebrants/cruisers increase. Police personnel will utilize traffic barricades to restrict access to side streets along Federal Blvd. The objective will be to minimize the impact on residents who live along the Federal Blvd. corridor.
- Phase Three will be implemented if the traffic volume reaches levels that prevent normal traffic flow and become unsafe for residents, participants and service personnel. During Phase Three, a portion of the traffic will be diverted from sections of Federal Blvd. until such time as the traffic volume becomes normalized. Various diversion routes have been selected and the volume of traffic will determine which location will be utilized.
Access to side streets will be limited to neighborhood residents only once barricades are in place. Residents requiring neighborhood access should contact the officer posted at the road closure. If an officer is engaged in a police action, residents should proceed to the next staffed or open intersection.
Police personnel will enforce traffic ordinances along the Federal Blvd. corridor including sound ordinance violations, both from stereos and excessive horn honking. The city juvenile curfew ordinance will also be enforced. Celebrants that are less than 18 years of age will be subject to curfew enforcement beginning at midnight on Friday and Saturday and 11 p.m. on Sunday.
