BRIDGEPORT – Following is information on road closures and information for visiting firefighters for the funeral services for Lt. Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik on Friday, July 30.
Road Closures — Following roads will be closed from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, July 30.
•Washington Avenue from Coleman to James will be closed completely.
Access to the following streets will be for local residents only:
•Washington Avenue from Park Avenue to James Street
•Washington Terrace to Washington Avenue
•West Avenue from Fairfield Avenue to Washington Avenue
•Coleman Street from Vine Street to Washington Avenue
•Calhoun Place from Vine to Washington Avenue
•Pequonnock Street from Vine to Washington Avenue
•Milne Street from Harral Avenue to Washington Avenue
The following roads will be closed from 1 to 4 p.m.:
•Park Avenue from Eckart Street North to Merritt Parkway
•Old Town Road from Park Avenue to Madison Avenue
•Jefferson Street from Merritt Parkway to Park Avenue – the Merritt Parkway entrance and exit will be open at this location
•Park Avenue Exit off the Merritt Parkway will be closed in both directions. Traffic will only be able to enter the parkway at this location.
Information for visiting firefighters:
•Satellite parking lots on Stratford Avenue and Pembroke Street (known as Steelpointe) will open at 7 a.m. Friday, July 30.
•Shuttle buses will take visitors to St. Augustine’s Cathedral where Lt. Velasquez’ funeral will begin at 10 a.m.
•Shuttle buses also will be available from the Bridgeport train station to St. Augustine’s beginning at 7 a.m.
oUse of Metro-North or Amtrak is encouraged
oThe Bridgeport-Port Jefferson Ferry also is available for firefighters coming from Long Island; shuttle to the church can be picked up at the train station
oThe train station, bus station and ferry terminal are all within one block of each other
oThe Cathedral is a short walk away from all transit options
•Uniformed members also will be available at all transit and parking areas to give directions
•At end of Velasquez funeral, shuttle buses will take visiting firefighters to the Sacred Heart University parking lot on Park Avenue, where the American Red Cross will provide light lunch and refreshments.
•FF Michel Baik’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Nicholas Antiochan Orthodox Church, 5458 Park Avenue (a short walk away from the Sacred Heart University parking lot).
•At end of Baik funeral, shuttle buses will take visiting firefighters back to the Arena at Harbor Yard where the collation for firefighters will be held.
•Shuttle buses will be available from the Arena to the train station and Steelpointe during the late afternoon to bring firefighters to their cars or back to the train.
Directions to Steelpointe parking lots:
From New Haven and points north: Take Exit 29 off I-95 Southbound; end of ramp take a left at light; take a right at the next light onto Stratford Avenue. Take a right onto Pembroke Street into parking area.
From New York and Points south: Take Exit 28 off I-95 Northbound; go straight down the ramp onto Ann Street; take a right onto Pembroke Street into the parking area.
From Danbury and points west: Take Route 8 to Route 25 Connector; Take I-95 Northbound to Exit 28 off I-95. Follow directions above.
Condolences for the families of those poor firefighters who lost their lives. People forget that they are always at risk.