The organizers of OpSail 2012 Connecticut and Sailfest have set up several satellite parking lots and free shuttle buses to take visitors into New London during the weekend festival.
Visitors will be able to park at no cost at the , , , Ocean State Job Lot, and . Visitors may also park at for a $20 fee.
John S. Johnson, chairman of OpSail 2012 CT, said downtown parking permits will still be honored for residents and business owners.
“There’s no question the city’s going to be crowded,” he said.
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With the exception of the Connecticut College lot, shuttle buses will take visitors from each site to . The park will be the port for the Class A tall ships Eagle and Cisne Branco, as well as several schooners and Coast Guard cutters.
Buses from the Connecticut College lot will shuttle visitors to City Pier, which is the port for the scallop harvester Regulus and some of the schooners.
The shuttle buses will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, but service will be extended if more people are waiting at stops at the conclusion of the fireworks display. The shuttles will also run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
“In order to attend the fireworks demonstration, shuttle buses must leave each commuter lot no later than 8:30 p.m.," said Waterford Police Chief Bud Pendleton. "When the shuttles arrive at their designated location, they will remain on standby until the event is over, at which time they are prepared to head back to the specific lots that they came from. Their return, in light of the traffic, most likely will be delayed. We encourage all attendees to stay at Fort Trumbull and City Pier to enjoy the entertainment, food and social activities that will be provided.”
During the weekend, SEAT will also have buses driving a loop to take visitors to different sites around the city. The loop will be completed every 15 minutes.
SEAT stops will be at City Pier and , Fort Trumbull State Park, the , State Pier, and .
