As Boston prepares to host William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, for a three-day visit beginning today, AAA Northeast is advising motorists to expect royally difficult congestion in parts of the city and to consider taking transit or alternative modes of transportation.
The royal couple will be making their first stop at Boston City Hall on Wednesday, followed by visits across the metro region over the next two days, culminating with an awards ceremony at MGM Music Hall Friday.
Meanwhile, President Biden is scheduled to arrive in Boston Friday to attend a political event, and may attend the Music Hall awards ceremony, adding to the potential for significant traffic disruptions and road closures.
AAA Northeast is recommending motorists plan ahead and consider using the T to get in and out of the city. Drivers are likely to see reduced parking and temporary road closures as the high-profile visitors carry out their itineraries. Although city officials have not announced specific street closures, some roadways could be temporarily blocked off and the area around City Hall will have limited access and reduced parking. There will also be a significant security presence with State Department officials joining local and state law enforcement.
Additionally, thousands of people could be in the area to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. Drivers who do enter the city should proceed with caution and be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists. Extra attention should be paid at intersections and areas where pedestrians will be crossing streets, such as near City Hall on Wednesday or in the Fenway area on Friday.
Drivers should also anticipate periods of heavy rain and high winds Wednesday into Thursday. The weather conditions could impact visibility and require reduced speeds for safety. While the rain could put a damper on crowds, tents will be set up near City Hall to accommodate groups of spectators.
The Royal couple’s announced itinerary is as follows:
- Wednesday: Visit with Mayor Michelle Wu at City Hall, followed by an event outside at 4:30 p.m.
- Thursday: Visit to Greentown Labs in Somerville at 10:30 a.m., followed by a stop in Chelsea to visit the nonprofit Roca around noon.
- Friday: Visit at Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child in Cambridge at 11:15 a.m., followed by a tour of the JFK Library. Later, the couple will attend the Earthshot Prize Awards at the MGM Music Hall.
There is a possibility that additional stops will be added during the visit. Real-time updates will be shared on the MassDOT Twitter account.