In an effort to improve the safety for people attending the popular Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, more roads will be closed this year during the weekend event.

The intersection of Alexander and Coveland streets will be closed during the festival, which takes place Aug. 13 through Aug. 15 in downtown Coupeville.

Festival organizers have been concerned about an accident taking place as people walk from the food and entertainment located in the municipal lot next to the library to the artist demonstrations located downtown a block away.

“You could see the potential for something going very, very wrong,” said Tessa Gavin, president of the Coupeville Festival Association. “It was a safer choice to close that street.”

Coveland Street will be blocked off at the post office during festival hours, which will give motorists a chance to turn around and get their mail, Gavin said. Alexander Street will be cordoned off at the library as well.

Gavin said most local residents normally stay away from the intersection during the busy festival weekend. In addition, the parking lot of the nearby law office will be used for disabled parking throughout the three-day event.