Police announce traffic plan for U2 concert, Moncton, N.B

The Codiac Regional RCMP today announced its traffic plan for the U2 concert at Magnetic Hill on July 30, 2011. The plan was developed through public consultation with area residents, as well as in conjunction with the City of Moncton and Codiac Transit.

Front Mountain Road will be closed to general traffic, except residents and their guests, starting at 10 a.m. on July 30. Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., visitors will be able to enter by identifying the address and home owner they will be visiting. No passes will be required. Front Mountain Road will be closed to all traffic as of 1 p.m.

The Gorge Road will be closed starting at 11 p.m., to alleviate congestion after the concert. Both roads will re-open at 1 a.m. on July 31 or when deemed by the RCMP to be safe to re-open.

Vehicles parked within these street closures will be allowed to exit only once pedestrian traffic has cleared.

Residents of the Greater Moncton area should also take note that, due to the anticipated high volume of traffic in the area, there will be no parking permitted on the following roads on July 30:

* Front Mountain Road
* Gorge Road
* Ensley Dive (taxis excepted)
* Mountain Road from Front Mountain Road to Lyon’s Country Store

This parking ban will be strictly enforced and any vehicles left unattended will be towed at the owners’ expense. This includes vehicles not parked directly on the road, but that extend out into the lane of traffic. Vehicles that police deem to be parked in areas that are unsafe to motorists or pedestrians will also be towed.

The greatest traffic congestion is anticipated after the concert, and the Codiac Regional RCMP asks everyone to be patient as they’re leaving the concert site. With tens of thousands of people expected to attend, vehicles using the private parking lots near the concert site will have to wait until pedestrians have cleared the area before being allowed to leave. It is difficult and unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians to share the roads around the concert site, in part because of the narrow streets, gravel shoulders, ditches and limited lighting.

During the evening, police will shut down a portion of Mountain Road to vehicle traffic. The closure will extend from Charles Lutes Road to Front Mountain Road. This is to allow buses to safely load people who are using the Park and Ride service.

Taxis will be permitted to pick up passengers on Ensley Drive. People expecting to be picked up after the concert should consider walking to a less congested area of Mountain Road to wait for their drive.