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NASCAR Chicago street closures causing headaches for commuters
Chicago’s first-ever downtown NASCAR race is still five days away, but it’s already having an impact on getting around town.
CHICAGO - Chicago’s first-ever downtown NASCAR race is still five days away, but it’s already having an impact on getting around town.
Road closures have started, and some big ones are coming this week.
The grandstand seats are erected. Concrete barricades and fencing are in place. And this comes as work crews have been busy closing off streets near Grant Park and Millennium Park.
Drivers and pedestrians are already having trouble getting east to west and west to east.
"It’s terrible," one motorist told FOX 32. "This is the only main street you can go through these days. The other side is closed."
MORE: NASCAR street closures continue as race weekend approaches: Here’s where to avoid
On Monday, crews closed Congress Plaza Drive, and also lanes on eastbound Roosevelt, between Columbus and DuSable Lakeshore Drive.
On Tuesday, curb lanes will close starting at 6 a.m. on southbound Lakeshore Dr. between Balbo and Roosevelt, as crews install road barriers.
And on Wednesday, things really get serious when southbound Lakeshore Drive closes between Randolph and McFetridge.
"It’s really pretty impressive to shut down Lakeshore Drive in the middle of the summer when traffic on that road goes to the max," said DePaul University Transportation Professor Joe Schwieterman. "So we’ll see if the gain is worth the pain, you might say with this."
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Additional traffic aids have been placed on the streets around Grant Park. The biggest question they heard today?
"Basically how to get places because of the blockage," one aid told us.
And if you plan to head downtown this week or to the race this weekend, Schwieterman said you better come armed with a game plan.
"Clearly going to have to think outside the box, whether you park in the West Loop and walk. Whether you let Google Maps tell you how to go. But we’re kind of in an unprecedented situation."
But even some of those inconvenienced by the race say they’re happy it’s here.
"It’s good for the city," said limo driver Jermaine Williams, while stuck in traffic. "A lot of people complain but it’s bringing in a lot of revenue for the city, so we definitely need it."