In anticipation of this weekend’s events, the Columbus Division of Police is advising area residents on the possible traffic changes in the event normal movement stops.
Sherry Mercurio, spokeswoman for the Columbus Division of Police, said the plan will only be implemented as a last resort. The main concern is the ability of emergency vehicles, specifically ambulances, to have easy access to get to where they need to go.
“The festival has never been a problem. Cruising is the issue with the traffic flow. When you have a large influx of traffic patterns it is hard to have pedestrians come in,” she said.
Kelly McGuire, spokeswoman for the Columbus Division of Fire, said the divisions preparing for the weekend by having extra engine companies and medics in the area.
Liz Cook, spokeswoman for Ohio State, does not anticipate as large of a turnout this year for the Heritage Festival, particularly during the weekend.
She said she feels holding the event a month earlier will keep students from other schools, who might have been done with classes in May, from attending. Columbus police have attended planning meetings with the university to coordinate plans for keeping the festivities safe for campus area residents.
“We have to respect the actions of the police department,” Cook said.
Weather plays a large part in turnout as well, Mercurio said.
“We have tried everything from opening up all the streets to shutting down all the streets,” she said. “The congestion can start north of Lane Avenue and go all the way to Nationwide Boulevard.”
In the event traffic becomes drastically impeded, the Columbus Division of Police will make the following street changes:
* Fifth Avenue will be one-way east between High Street and Fourth Street.
* Fifth Avenue will be one-way west between High Street and Olentangy River Road.
* King Avenue will be one-way west between High Street and Cannon Drive.
* High Street will be one-way north between Fifth Avenue and Lane Avenue.
* Lane Avenue will be one-way east between High Street and Summit Street.
* Note: Lane Avenue’s bridge over the Olentangy River is closed for replacement.
Mercurio stressed the importance of separating the Heritage Festival and Chittfest. She said it is unfair to crucify the entire campus for one group’s actions.
Sgt. Brent Mull, another spokesman for the Columbus Division of Police, expressed similar feelings toward the weekend’s events. It is the ones throwing the parties that would be responsible, he said.
“We’re hoping for the best and planning for the worst,” he said.
