Don’t get stuck in traffic this Fourth of July in Tacoma. Details here
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- There will be road closures along Ruston Way for Tacoma's annual fireworks show.
- Free and paid parking options are available but long delays are expected after the event.
- Pierce Transit service ends at 6:28 p.m. Friday, meaning no post-show bus transportation.
Whether planning to revel in the Fourth of July celebration or simply on the road, motorists should be advised of traffic impacts expected Thursday and Friday related to Tacoma’s July 4 celebration.
Drivers along Ruston Way will encounter parking restrictions or road closures during a two-day period for Summer Blast, the largest free Fourth of July event in the area hosted by Parks Tacoma in partnership with the city.
Gated lots at Dune Peninsula, Cummings, Les Davis and Jack Tanner parks along Ruston Way will be locked and closed all day Thursday for the event’s set up, according to Parks Tacoma. Parking will be available at Point Ruston and in parking lots near Katie Downs Waterfront Tavern and Duke’s Seafood and across the street from those locations.
On Friday, three roads will be closed to all traffic between 7 a.m. and midnight: Ruston Way between Alder and North 49th streets; Yacht Club Road between Ruston Way and Grand Loop; and North Baltimore Street between Ruston Way and North 49th Street.
“Heavy traffic and delays around these closures are expected, so please plan accordingly,” Parks Tacoma said in an advisory.
Free parking for festivities will be available at Point Defiance Park near the boat launch and in all lots along Ruston Way, south of Alder Street, on a first come, first served basis, according to Parks Tacoma.
For $25 per vehicle, motorists can park in the Multipurpose Lot near Point Defiance Park. It can be found by taking the first exit from the roundabout at the Point Defiance Pearl Street entrance and then following the road up the hill.
Paid parking also will be available at the Point Ruston parking garage, but Parks Tacoma warned that motorists should anticipate delays of up to two hours exiting the garage after the fireworks display.
A dedicated Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking lot will be set up Friday at the intersection of Ruston Way and Alder Street, and an ADA viewing area for the fireworks show will be located at the horseshoe pier at Cummings Park.
Pierce Transit offers bus service to Point Defiance Park on routes 10 and 11. Due to the holiday, the last bus is scheduled to leave the Point Defiance Ferry Terminal at 6:28 p.m. Friday, according to Parks Tacoma. Event-goers should not plan on using the bus for transportation after the fireworks show.
Visit TacomaSummerBlast.com for more information on this year’s event.
