Police in New London are warning the public that roads around the U.S. Coast Guard Academy will be closed starting early Wednesday morning. President Donald Trump will be in the city to deliver the keynote address at the Coast Guard’s 145th commencement ceremony. The event is not open to the public. It’s set to be held outside starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, but could be moved inside due to inclement weather, Coast Guard officials say. “I think it’s marvelous that the young people are serving our country,” says military veteran Steve Lechner, from Groton. “That’s what it’s all about.” Dozens of roads will be impacted in New London, and countless no parking signs are posted throughout the city. Lechner’s wife says trying to get around the city on Wednesday will be chaotic. “You’re going to get to an intersection, and they’re not going to let you go through it,” says Shelly Lechner. “It’s going to be total chaos for the people that need to go some place.” Nearby Riverside Park will be closed starting at 5 a.m. Wednesday, but New London police says the public will be able to gather at McKinley Park. “People are calling out of work, and just trying to do what they can to not be here, unless they’re trying to make it down to the protest at McKinley Park,” protest organizer Makenzie Metivier says. President Trump last delivered the keynote address at the Coast Guard academy back in 2017 during his first term. The last sitting president to deliver the speech here was Joe Biden back in 2021.

Police are reminding everyone that there will likely be more traffic, so the public is encouraged to pack its patience. “It should probably be pretty hectic,” Metivier says. “I’m sure we’ll see a lot of foot traffic.”