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City Of Milford Considering Permanent Changes To Parade Routes

November 13, 2024 Steve Schwaller

(Milford)– The city of Milford is considering a permanent change to parade routes through town. Police Chief Shilo Brevik says having the route going down 13th Street and Highway 71 poses safety risks when the heavy traffic from the highway is detoured onto side streets…

“I guess the biggest thing for me is just the safety of the public, the pedestrians, the vehicles and large machinery, semis, that type thing, through the residentials that were never designed for that type of equipment. And then closing the highway for an extended period. It’s one thing for locals but it’s another for, again, truck drivers that are coming in from all over the country, coming through here. Our population’s getting bigger, the area is busier and busier every year and I think we’re just waiting for an accident unless we make a few corrections here and there.”

He’s proposing some optional routes for parades…

“One of them would be starting at the middle school, coming down 6th street which would be opposite of the way we’ve typically done it. And then there was one that was very similar to last year’s which was staging in their normal area, coming down H Avenue and then 10th Street. So there are some options out there, it’s just a matter of making it work and making everybody or as many people as possible happy.”

Brevik brought his concerns to the Milford City Council Tuesday evening. Council members say they want to hear input on the matter from residents.

Brevik adds it’s mainly the Pioneer Days and Homecoming parades he’s concerned about. Both of those routes were revised this year due to road construction on 13th Street. Brevik says he’s okay with the Holiday Fantasy Parade route continuing on the highway as it only lasts a few minutes.

A representative of the Milford Commercial Club told the city council Tuesday they want at least a portion of the route for the Pioneer Days Parade to remain on the highway and 13th Street as it’s intended to help promote those businesses.

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