NASCAR Chicago street race: Everything we know about traffic impacts, road closures

Chicago lays out traffic plans for NASCAR street race

City and NASCAR officials unveiled their plans Monday for managing traffic around downtown ahead of the Chicago street race.

CHICAGO - Chicago has unveiled its plan to manage traffic when NASCAR hosts its street race in Grant Park this summer.

On Monday, city of Chicago and NASCAR officials laid out their game plan for how the race will impact streets and traffic, and it includes shutting down some of the city's busiest and most important roadways.

The NASCAR race is scheduled to take place in and around Grant Park on the weekend of July 1 and July 2, but according to a briefing Monday morning, it'll start having an impact on traffic and parking as early as June 2.

CHICAGO'S UPCOMING NASCAR RACE RAISING NEW CONCERNS OVER TRAFFIC, LOGISTICS

On that date, parking restrictions will go into effect along Columbus Drive between Jackson and Balbo drives.

Then on June 10, Ida B. Wells Drive will close east of Michigan Avenue so that construction can start on the viewing stands.

The most significant closures start on June 25 when Columbus Drive between Jackson Drive and Roosevelt Road will be shut down.

Then on June 28, southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed from Randolph Street to McFetridge Drive, which is just north of Soldier Field.

The next day, Roosevelt Road will close east of Columbus Drive, as will northbound Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Jackson drives.

One day later, all of Michigan Avenue will be shut down between Balbo and Jackson drives.

During race weekend, northbound Lake Shore Drive will close between McFetridge Drive and Randolph Street.

During Monday's briefing, city officials said there will be plenty of signage warning of closures, and pointing out detours.

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 ON YOUTUBE

They say all the businesses in the area should be able to remain open, although it's clear you'll have to walk quite a few blocks to get to many of them.

Brian Hopkins is among a number of aldermen who have blasted Mayor Lori Lightfoot for recruiting the 2.2-mile NASCAR race to Chicago without their input.

"This really was a bait and switch," Hopkins said. "We were told initially that the impact would be minimal. And now we find out that the impact is significant for downtown residents and frankly for commuters."

The city said the museums and Buckingham Fountain will remain open, and there will be pedestrian access to businesses on streets that are closed.

Momadou Jobe owns a fashion store on Michigan Avenue and said he hopes the race will attract crowds to his business, but worries about the street in front being shut down.

"Affecting our customers," Jobe said. "If they are not going to be able to get in the store. So that’s not gonna be good for us business-wise."

WHEN WILL THIS ALL END?

Starting the morning after the race, Monday, July 3, some of the main streets will re-open, but officials say it could be July 15 before all of the area is restored to normal.

TIMELINE OF ROAD CLOSURES

Sun., June 25, beginning at 12:01 a.m.

Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr. and closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd.

Mon., June 26, beginning at 6 a.m.

Closure of Congress Plaza Dr. and lane closures on eastbound Roosevelt Road between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

Tue., June 27, beginning at 6 a.m.

Curb lane closure on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Balbo Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. for track barrier installation.

Weds., June 28, beginning at 10 p.m.

Curb lane closure on southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Balbo Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. for track barrier installation.

Thu., June 29, beginning at 8 p.m.

Closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Balbo Dr. and Jackson Dr. and traffic lane closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Balbo Dr. and Jackson Dr.

Thu., June 29, beginning at 10 p.m.

Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Monroe Dr. and McFetridge Rd. and closure of Roosevelt Rd. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.