In anticipation of a larger-than-normal influx of visitors to Santa Monica this Memorial Day weekend, traffic officers and City staff were tasked with directing traffic at busy intersections and in and out of parking structures to help keep streets downtown clear of gridlock.
Like most weekends, the beach and the Third Street Promenade drew the largest crowds. Most of the City staff working Saturday were focused in one of these two areas, as well as outside of parking structures. One key to managing parking structure traffic was reducing left turns allowed, instead directing drivers to a nearby parking structure. Thankfully, these are plentiful in Downtown Santa Monica.
According to Tyler, who was working as a crossing guard outside of the Third Street Promenade, 2pm is the when downtown Santa Monica is at its busiest. Keep that in mind when planning an outing to the beach or promenade this summer!
The Go With The Flow traffic management program will be in effect every weekend until Labor Day, from 11am to 7pm. For a map of areas affected, as well as help finding parking and other useful Downtown driving info, visit smgov.net.
