SAN JOSE – City officials and the San Jose Police Department will implement a series of planned road closures to accommodate this weekend's Cinco de Mayo celebrations, but with a clearer spirit of support for the festivities in comparison with last 12 months, because the highway access from necessary areas were cut off and led to sharp criticism and accusations of racism.
The celebrations in downtown and east San Jose will happen Saturday and Sunday, and motorists and residents can expect various road closures throughout the weekend. While there are quite a few strict closures tied to specific events, police announced last month that additionally they have a listing of possible traffic diversions to function an emergency solution to ease congestion and accommodate ever-increasing crowds to maintain moving.
While these closures are generally normal for police, they drew criticism last 12 months from some local leaders and even state lawmakers, who broadly accused the town of shutting off access to downtown to handle unfounded safety concerns about large crowds of individuals Mexicans to filter American revelers.
There has since been an about-face within the tone of city and civic leaders in San Jose, and that was reinforced Thursday by a news release from the town with a series of optimistic statements.
Downtown City Council member Omar Torres, a number one critic of last 12 months's road closure, said he was pleased to “welcome everyone to the heart of downtown for the Cinco De Mayo parade and celebrations.”…Our collaboration with the community, the The City’s Department of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs and the SJ Police Department will ensure a secure and fun Cinco De Mayo weekend for everybody.”
Acting Police Chief Paul Joseph added, “We are devoting resources to minimize traffic disruptions and crime so the public can maximize their time celebrating at sanctioned events in San Jose.”
Cinco de Mayo street closure in San Jose
Saturday
- Barack Obama Boulevard between West Santa Clara and West St. John streets; West Santa Clara Street between Stockton Avenue and Barack Obama Boulevard
- Left lane of South Market Street along Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Sunday
- East Santa Clara Street between South Sixth and South Market Streets; South Market Street between East Santa Clara Street and Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Left lane of South Market Street along Plaza de Cesar Chavez - South King Road between Alum Rock Avenue and Interstate 680
South King Road between Interstate 680 and Story Road
The entrances and exits from Interstate 680 to South King Road can be closed throughout the event
Possible closures
As an emergency, city and police officials may reroute traffic in the next areas between Friday and Sunday depending on congestion and crowding:
- East Santa Clara Street between Highway 87 and Highway 101
- South Market Street between East Santa Clara Street and Plaza de Cesar Chavez
- South Fourth Street between East Santa Clara Street and Interstate 280
- South tenth Street between East Santa Clara Street and Interstate 280
*Roosevelt Park can be fenced
- Alum Rock Avenue between Highway 101 and Interstate 680
- King Road between Alum Rock Avenue and Tully Road
- Story Road between King Road and East Capitol Expressway
- South Jackson Avenue between Interstate 680 and Story Road
- Ocala Avenue between King Road and East Capitol Expressway
- Tully Road between Highway 101 and East Capitol Expressway
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