Kearney Police urge planning for traffic and weather during America 250 celebration
KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - The Kearney Police Department says it’s preparing for increased traffic and large crowds during the Buffalo County America 250 Celebration on Saturday, July 4 with festivities planned throughout the evening at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.
Police say officers will have an increased presence to help with traffic control, direct vehicles at key intersections, manage the flow of traffic entering and exiting the fairgrounds and respond to public safety needs as they arise. Officers working under the STEP grant will be stationed near key ingress and egress points and along major roadways to watch for unsafe driving behaviors, including impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving.
Along with traffic reminders, police are urging attendees to plan for the heat and the possibility of changing weather conditions during the event.
“Be aware of the things going on, first of all, the weather. It’s going to be hot. We want people to stay hydrated. Use sunscreen and sunblock. Bring chairs, I know limitations in the heat. Also, plan for inclement weather, we might have some weather roll in in the evening and need people to be aware of that,” said Lt. Tony Cordova.
Police encourage people to allow extra travel time, follow directions from officers and traffic control personnel, watch for pedestrians and increased congestion near the fairgrounds, and designate a sober driver. The department says additional staffing and traffic safety efforts are supported through a grant from the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety.
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