Archive for Street Closures

NFL Draft Town Fan Festival 2016

NFL Draft Town Fan Festival is returning to Chicago this year Thursday, April 28th through Saturday, April 30th at Grant Park. Large crowds are expected again this year for the event.

The following was released from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications regarding street closures:

Balbo from Columbus to Lake Shore Drive is currently closed to traffic. Westbound Balbo will remain closed until Friday, May 6th, night; however, eastbound Balbo will reopen for Monday, April 24th morning rush and then will be closed again on Tuesday, May 3rd through Friday, May 6th for the load-out of the event.

In addition, motorists can expect the following closures:

Michigan Avenue from Van Buren to Congress will be closed at 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, until 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 20. Traffic will be rerouted through the Congress Circle during the closure. Michigan Avenue from Jackson to Balbo will temporarily close on Thursday, April 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and then again on Friday, April 29 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. to accommodate the red carpet introduction featuring NFL legends and top college prospects.
Columbus from Jackson to Balbo will be closed at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, until 8:00 a.m. on Friday, April 22 for set-up of Draft Town Fan Festival. Columbus will close again at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22 until Monday, May 2 for the event and load-out.
Congress from Michigan to Columbus Drive (and sidewalks) and the Congress Circle will be closed Friday, April 22 night and will reopen on Monday, May 2. Congress Parkway from Wabash to Michigan Avenue will close Thursday, April 28 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and also on Friday, April 29 from 3:00 p.m. and is anticipated to open later that evening.

Remember these tips to have fun if visiting the Draft Town Fan Festival:

Don’t bring valuables with you
Be aware of your surroundings and locate where you can go for help if necessary
Be extra cautious on the roads if you are driving this weekend
Secure handbags and wallets
Stay calm and pleasant
Follow your own instincts
Leave yourself room to move quickly
If you see an unattended bag, alert police as quickly as possible
Remain alert and be observant of surroundings

As always, if you “See Something, Say Something”. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911. To report suspicious activity, call 855-RPRT-2-S4 (855-777-8274).

ITU World Triathlon Grand Final

The ITU World Triathlon Grand Final will take place September 15th – 19th in Chicago. This event will bring more than 8,000 triathletes to the Chicago area over the four (4) days of competition. The ITU World Triathlon Grand Final includes elite races, top-flight sprint races, Olympic-distance races, and an aquathlon.

Street closures include:

Curb lane closures on Jackson and Balbo beginning Friday, September 11th
Columbus will be completely closed at times during the day beginning Tuesday, September 15^th.
Monroe will experience closure on Friday, September 18^th and Saturday, September 18^th.
Saturday, September 19th closures include Monroe, Columbus (Upper and Lower), Randolph (Mid and Lower), Wacker (Upper and Lower) & the Bus Way from 4am until 4pm.

For more information on the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final, please click here.

Rock N Roll Half Marathon Notice

The Rock N’ Roll Half Marathon will take place this Sunday, July 19th with the start and finish along Grant Park on Columbus Drive. Street closures will begin at 6:00am and will last until approximately 12:00pm. For a map of the course and street closures, please click here.

A full list of street closures can also be found below:

Additionally remember these safety tips:

If you see something suspicious, report it
Carry water and stay hydrated
Choose a landmark to meet at in case you are separated from your group
Utilize the buddy system
Remain alert and be observant of surroundings
Leave any valuables at home
Do not jump any barricades
Secure handbags and wallets
Stay calm and pleasant
Follow your own instincts
Leave yourself room to move quickly
If you see an unattended bag, alert police as quickly as possible

Possible Protest Activity & Street Closures – April 29, 2015 – May 2, 2015

The following information as been provided by City of Chicago:

Possible Protest Activity – Wednesday, April 29^th

There may be protest activity stemming from the south side of the river into the 18th Disrict near Michigan Avenue later today. This unconfirmed march is in response to black lives matter and against police brutality.

NFL Draft Activity: Thursday, April 30^th – Sunday, May 3^rd

With the NFL Draft activities being held April 30^th to May 2^nd , large crowds are to be expected downtown. Buildings around the area are advised that in the event of inclement weather, they may see a large influx of people seeking refuge. Management and security staff should be aware of this possibility and have necessary personnel and polices in place.

There are no known threats regarding the NFL Draft weekend, however, CPD does expect various protest groups to use the visibility of the event to demonstrate.

Polish Constitution Day Parade – Saturday, May 2^nd

The Polish Constitution Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 2^nd from 9 a.m. to the mid-afternoon. The parade will be on Dearborn Street which will be closed between Wacker Drive and Van Buren Street.

For more information on the NFL Draft street closures, please click here.

2015 NFL Draft

Chicago is the host city for the 2015 NFL draft. The draft events take place Thursday, April 30th through Saturday, May 2nd at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. The following is information on street closures during that time frame:

Thursday, April 22nd at 6:00am through Friday, May 8th
Congress Parkway to be closed between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive

Monday, April 27th at 6:00am through Monday, May 4th
Columbus Drive to be closed between Balboa Drive and Jackson Boulevard

Thursday, April 30th, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Michigan Avenue to be closed between Jackson Boulevard and Harrison Street
Congress Parkway to be closed between Michigan Avenue and State Street
Wabash Street to be closed between Jackson Boulevard and Harrison Street

Friday, May 1st, 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Michigan Avenue to be closed between Jackson Boulevard and Harrison Street
Congress Parkway to be closed between Michigan Avenue and State Street
Wabash Street to be closed between Jackson Boulevard and Harrison Street

Saturday, May 2nd, 9:00am – Mid-afternoon
Polish Constitution Day Parade
Dearborn Street to be closed between Wacker Drive and Van Buren Street

Street closings for the NFL Draft for Saturday, May 2nd are currently T.B.D.

In addition to full road closures, lane reductions or temporary sidewalk closures may be implemented to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Please note that the Chicago Police Department is anticipating for smaller protest groups to be present during the events.

For more information on the 2015 NFL Draft, click here.

Chicago’s 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Festivities

Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities will take place this Saturday, March 15th starting at 9:30am. These festivities includes dyeing Chicago river green as well as a parade.

In 2014 the river will be turning green on Saturday March 15, starting at 9:30 A.M. The best place to view this year will be between Columbus and Wabash. Visit http://greenchicagoriver.com/ for further information.

The 2014 parade starts at 12:00pm at Balbo and Columbus and ends at Monroe and Columbus. For more information on the parade visit http://www.chicagostpatsparade.com/.

Parade Route

Street closures for the parade will begin at 7:30am and end around 2:30pm. These include:

Columbus Drive from Roosevelt to Balbo
Balbo between Michigan and LSD
Monroe from Columbus to LSD
Columbus from Randolph to Roosevelt
Jackson from Columbus to LSD
Congress from Michigan to Columbus

Remember these tips to have a safe celebration.

Don’t bring valuables with you to your celebration
Be aware of your surroundings and locate where you can go for help if necessary
If you plan on drinking, do not drive
Be extra cautious on the roads if you are driving this weekend