SAN JOSE — City officials and the San Jose Police Department will implement a series of planned roadway closures to accommodate this weekend’s Cinco de Mayo festivities, but with a pointed spirit of supporting celebrations compared to last year, when freeway access was cut off from key areas and led to harsh criticisms and accusations of racism.
Celebrations downtown and in East San Jose will take place Saturday and Sunday, and motorists and residents will have to be mindful of assorted street closures throughout the weekend. While there are a series of rigid closures tied to specific events, police announced last month that they also have a list of prospective traffic diversions to serve as a contingency to relieve gridlock and keep the swelling crowds moving.
While these closures are generally business as usual for the police department, last year they were the subject of criticism from some local leaders and even state legislators who broadly accused the city of cutting off access to downtown to mitigate unfounded safety concerns about large crowds of Mexican American revelers.
The tone from city and civic leaders in San Jose has seen an about-face since then, and that was reinforced Thursday with a city news release featuring a bevy of optimistic statements.
Downtown council member Omar Torres, one of the leading critics of last year’s street closure approach, said he is “excited to welcome everyone to the heart of Downtown for the Cinco De Mayo Parade and festivities. … Our collaboration with the community, the city’s Office of Economic Development and of Cultural Affairs and SJ Police ensures a safe and fun Cinco De Mayo weekend for all.”
East San Jose council member Peter Ortiz lauded the revival of the East San Jose Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival, set for Sunday, and credited San Jose police for participating in event planning and being “a trusted partner who stewarded our event to ensure that it prioritized the safety of all attendees.”
Acting police Chief Paul Joseph added that “we are dedicating resources to minimize traffic impacts and crime, so that the public can maximize their time celebrating at sanctioned events in San Jose.”
Cinco de Mayo street closures in San Jose
Saturday
- Cinco de Mayo Car Show, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Barack Obama Boulevard between West Santa Clara and West St. John streets; West Santa Clara Street between Stockton Avenue and Barack Obama Boulevard
- Salsa Festival, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Left lane of South Market Street along the perimeter of Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Sunday
- Downtown Cinco de Mayo Parade
7 a.m. to 12 p.m.: East Santa Clara Street between South Sixth and South Market streets; South Market Street between East Santa Clara Street and Plaza de Cesar Chavez
7 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Left lane of South Market Street along the perimeter of Plaza de Cesar Chavez - East San Jose Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
7 a.m. to 12 p.m.: South King Road between Alum Rock Avenue and Interstate 680
7 a.m. to 5 p.m.: South King Road between Interstate 680 and Story Road
*On- and off-ramps from Interstate 680 to South King Road will be closed for the duration of the event
Potential closures
As a contingency, between Friday and Sunday, city and police officials may divert traffic in the following areas based on gridlock and crowd sizes:
Downtown:
- 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 10th Street between East Santa Clara Street and Interstate 280
*Roosevelt Park will be fenced off
East San Jose:
- 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
Source: City of San Jose, San Jose Police Department
