NDOT and Walk Bike Nashville Remind Neighbors to Apply for a Halloween Open Street

With the expected increase in ghosts, goblins, and witches roaming streets on Halloween night this year, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) and Walk Bike Nashville are reminding neighbors how they can apply for a block party permit to support a Halloween Open Street and make streets safer for people walking.

In partnership with Walk Bike Nashville, NDOT has launched an Open Streets Program that gives neighborhoods the opportunity to temporarily close streets to cars for community activities.

"Halloween is scary but trick-or-treating doesn't have to be!," said NDOT Director Ryan Lynch. "Street safety is a priority every day and Halloween night is no different. Opening streets for people is a great tool for neighborhoods looking to celebrate their BOO-tiful communities. I encourage all Metro residents to learn more about our Open Streets program and organize a Halloween Streets event in their neighborhood."

Commonly known as block parties, residents can submit Open Streets permits for free and check-out approved traffic control materials such as signs and cones at no cost. Last year, NDOT issued 41 street closures in neighborhoods around Nashville.

"Open Streets are a great way to get out, walk, bike, and play with your neighbors," said Walk Bike Nashville Open Streets Assistant Manager Calah Gipson. "There's no better time this season than Halloween for neighbors to host one themselves. We're excited to see more car-free, people-first streets this month."

For the many neighborhood streets that will be open to motor vehicles during Halloween celebrations, NDOT has the following safety tips:

• Drivers Pay Attention - Be alert for trick-or-treaters and other pedestrians.
• Drivers Slow Down- Roads will be more crowded. Slower speeds save lives.
• Follow the Rules of the Road - Obey all signs and signals.
• Where Possible, Walk on Sidewalks - If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Make the Effort to Cross at Crosswalks or Street Corners - Look for cars in all directions.

More information on the Open Streets Program, including how to apply, is available at Open Streets Nashville.

To report a non-emergency issue affecting a Metro Nashville street, visit hub.nashville.gov.