DOWNTOWN — The city released its traffic plan Monday for July’s NASCAR street race, which will include staged closures of main Downtown roads throughout June and July.
Announced last year, Chicago’s first NASCAR street race is July 1-2 in Grant Park and surrounding roads. Tickets are on sale.
The race has been controversial among residents, park advocates and local businesses who have argued little has been revealed about the logistics surrounding the event.
In March, Block Club revealed the Park District agreed to give NASCAR 39 days for setup and teardown of the event in Grant Park after officials previously forecasted only a two-week takeover.
On Monday, the city revealed pre-race setup was extended an extra three days with parking restrictions along Columbus Drive starting June 2. Officials said most significant closures won’t occur until June 25.
The most significant closures impacting traffic through Downtown will begin June 27, when southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed between Balbo Drive and Roosevelt Road. The closure extends to include Monroe Drive and McFetridge Road on June 29.
Northbound lanes on DuSable Lake Shore Drive from McFetridge Drive to Randolph Street will be closed starting July 1 and will reopen after the Sunday race, officials said.
Public records previously showed setup, teardown and the event itself would be June 5-July 15. The city said Monday that teardown is still slated to conclude July 15.
Following the event, some streets will begin reopening as early as 7 a.m. July 3 while others will be reopened in stages through July 15 as crews work to take down the track wall, fence and viewing structures, according to a news release.
Despite concerns, more than half of the park will remain accessible to the public during setup, teardown and the event, city officials said.
Credit: City of Chicago Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field and Lower Hutchinson Field will have “minimal restrictions that equate to less than one-fifth of event operation days,” according to a joint statement from the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the Department of Transportation.
Maggie Daley Park, Cancer Survivor’s Garden, and the Museum Campus will also remain open, city officials said. Previously, Shedd Aquarium officials expressed concern the race would impact the Museum Campus, citing the possibility of a $2-$3 million loss because of closures.
“The city of Chicago has been working with NASCAR in the planning and execution of the race to minimize disruptions to residents and visitors while making it a safe event for everyone,” Rich Guidice, executive director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, said in a statement.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoThe city also plans to publicize the upcoming street closures around Downtown and the surrounding roads leading to Grant Park so residents are prepared, officials said.
A virtual community engagement meeting is 6-7 p.m. Wednesday. Representatives from NASCAR, the city and the Park District will be in attendance, according to a community alert Friday from Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd). Click here to register.
A full list of closures planned June 2-July 15:
- June 2: At 6 a.m., parking restrictions are planned along Columbus Drive between Jackson and Balbo drives.
- June 5: At 6 a.m., parking restrictions are planned northbound on Columbus Drive to Balbo Drive.
- June 10: At 12:01 a.m., Ida B. Wells Drive will close east of Michigan Avenue for construction of the main viewing areas.
- June 18-19: At 7 p.m., a temporary closure is planned on Jackson Drive from Michigan Avenue to Columbus Drive.
- June 19: At 6 a.m., a full closure is planned on Balbo Drive from Michigan Avenue to DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
- June 20: At 6 a.m., a northbound lane closure is planned from Roosevelt Road to Balbo Drive. CTA buses will be rerouted.
- June 21: At 6 a.m., a northbound lane closure is planned on Columbus Drive from Balbo to Jackson drives. The sidewalks will be closed. Corners will remain open for access to Buckingham Fountain.
- June 22: At 6 a.m., a southbound lane closure is planned on Columbus Drive from Balbo Drive to Roosevelt Road. The sidewalk on Columbus Drive will be closed. The Columbus Drive underpass will remain open.
- June 23: At 6 a.m., a southbound lane closure is planned on Columbus Drive from Jackson to Balbo drives.
- June 24: At 6 a.m., a northbound traffic lane closure is planned on the Congress Circle.
- June 26:
- At 6 a.m., full closures are planned at Michigan Avenue, Van Buren Street, Harrison Street, and the entrance to Congress Circle.
- At 6 a.m., an eastbound closure is planned on Roosevelt Road between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
- June 28:
- At 8 p.m., a southbound lane closure is planned on DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Roosevelt Road.
- At 8 p.m., a northbound lane closure is planned on Michigan Avenue between Van Buren and Jackson Drive.
- At 8 p.m., a full closure is planned on Jackson Drive from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore drives.
- At 8 p.m., a full closure is planned on Monroe Street between Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore drives.
- At 10 p.m., a full closure is planned on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Monroe Drive and McFetridge Road.
- June 29:
- At 8 p.m., a full closure is planned of northbound Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Jackson drives.
- At 10 p.m., a full closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Road is planned between Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore drives.
- At 10 p.m., southbound Michigan Avenue will be closed between Balbo and Jackson drives.
- June 30: At 5 p.m., a closure is planned of southbound Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Jackson drives.
- July 1: At 5 a.m., a full closure is planned of northbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive from McFetridge Drive to Randolph Street.
The phased reopening plan:
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
Credit: City of Chicago 
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