Sonora, CA — Sonora city officials are gearing up for the 22nd annual downtown Christmas Parade tonight.
The Sonora Police Department says between eight and ten thousand people are expected to attend this year.
The police department will impose maximum enforcement measures beginning at 5:00 this afternoon.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 5:30 at the Red Church continuing south on Washington to Restano Way.
Closure points along the parade route will be Bonanza Street, Elkin Street, Church Street and Restano Way.
Street Closures:
School Street at North Washington Street and Snell Street will be closed to through traffic at 4:30 by the parade committee. An officer will be stationed at Washington Street and School Street to direct traffic.
Intersection Closures:
Bonanza Street at Snell Street, Elkin Street at North Washington Street, South Washington Street at Church Street, Stockton Road at Green Street, Stockton Road at Forest Road, Washington Street at Church Street, Restano Way at Washington Street, Restano Way at Stewart Street (Mono Way).
Traffic Patterns:
Northbound:
Northbound traffic on South Washington Street from the bypass will be diverted east on Hospital Road back to Mono Way. Westbound traffic on Mono Way will continue north on Stewart Street. Motorists wishing to go west on Stockton Road will be diverted to the bypass.
Southbound:
Southbound traffic form Highway 49 will be diverted at Elkin Street at North Washington Street. Traffic will be allowed to continue east on Elkin Street to North Stewart Street.
Eastbound:
Stockton Road will be closed to through traffic at Forest Road. Drivers wishing to go east or south will be diverted back to the bypass. Drivers wishing to go north from Stockton Road will be diverted to Forest Road to Bonanza Street to Snell Street. The option will also be available of going west on Highway 49 to Jamestown-Shaws Flat Road.
Snell Street at Bonanza Street will be closed at 5:00. Snell Street traffic will be allowed to turn west on Bonanza Street. Bonanza Street traffic will be allowed to turn north on Snell Street.
Thousand of parade goers are expected to be walking in the streets following the parade, and motorists are urged to be alert and use extreme caution. Anyone with questions can call Sergeant Glenn Roberts of the Sonora Police Department at 532-8141.
This post was last modified on 01/31/2009 2:32 pm