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Berkeley Police expect 40,000 spectators for the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza on the Berkeley Marina this weekend, according to police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies. 

The show—scheduled to commence about 9:30 p.m.—will trigger temporary changes in city traffic flow, with access to I-80 blocked at University Avenue and Gillman Street throughout the 30 minutes of pyrotechnics. 

Police will close off access to the fishing pier at 5 p.m., and will close the marina itself to traffic when the parking lots are filled, which typically happens about two hours later, Okies said. 

Marina vehicular traffic will be closed from 45 to 90 minutes after the show to allow pedestrians safe passage out of the area. 

Okies said the surest ways to attend the event will be on foot and via bicycle. 

Neither alcohol nor so-called “safe and sane” privately fired fireworks will be allowed—the latter are banned throughout the city at any time—and plenty of Berkeley’s finest will be on hand to make sure the rules are followed. 

—Richard Brenneman›