Denver.gov sent out the following information to help drivers navigate weekend traffic:
The first USA Pro Cycling Challenge concludes in Denver on Sunday, August 28, 2011, and Denver Public Works Traffic Engineering Services has been working closely with other City agencies and event organizers to create a plan for the race route that allows access for the traveling public and race fans.
Riders are expected to cross the finish line at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Broadway directly in front of the Colorado State Capitol after completing six loops on a circuit that encompasses portions of Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue, continuing through downtown next to Civic Center Park and then across the finish line on Broadway. Free festivities for spectators, including concerts and bike demos, will begin at 10:00 a.m. on race day in the park.
The USA Pro Cycling Challenge concludes in Denver on Sunday, Aug. 26 and Denver Public Works Traffic Engineering Services has been working closely with other City agencies and event organizers to create a plan for the race route that allows access for the traveling public and race fans.
Riders are expected to cross the finish line at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Broadway directly in front of the Colorado State Capitol after completing six loops on a circuit that encompasses portions of Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue, continuing through downtown next to Civic Center Park and then across the finish line on Broadway. Free festivities for spectators, including concerts and bike demos, will begin at 10:00 a.m. on race day in the park.
The seven-day, 500-mile race, billed as "the most grueling bike race in American history," will receive national and international media coverage, providing incredible exposure for the Mile High City, and thousands of visitors will be traveling to Denver to witness the conclusion of the race, positively impacting our economy overall.
Please note-ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE:
In preparation for the race finale and Civic Center Park festivities, these streets will close at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, and will re-open on Sunday, August 26, at 10:00 p.m.
Streets include:
14th Avenue from Cherokee Street to Lincoln Street
Bannock Street from Colfax Avenue to 13th Avenue
Broadway from Colfax Avenue to 13th Avenue.
On race day, Sunday, August 28, the five mile closed circuit course will result in the following closures from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Speer Boulevard closed in both directions from Market Street to 8th Avenue (Market and 8th both remain open)
Colfax Avenue closed from Logan Street to Kalamath Street (Logan and Kalamath both remain open
Grant Street from 12th Avenue to Colfax Avenue (12th remains open)
13th Avenue from Logan Street to Bannock Street (Logan and Bannock both remain open).
Rolling closures will help minimize the impact on traffic along the other sections of the course:
Off-ramps closed at I-25 and Speer Boulevard: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., with the exception of access for Elitch Gardens from north-bound I-25 using the south-bound Speer Boulevard exit only, which will remain open to accommodate a private party
Traffic from I-25 will be able to access Downtown during the race by using Auraria Parkway, 20th Street or Park Avenue West exits.
ONLY AFFECTED during the 30 minute race period, these streets will be closed to traffic approximately 20 minutes before the cyclists arrive and will re-open only minutes after the final cyclist passes through (approximately 30 minutes in total):
North-South access to Auraria Parkway from Market Street and Blake Street (previously Larimer Street)
Sheridan Boulevard from 32nd Avenue to 29th Avenue
29th Avenue to Speer Boulevard
Speer Boulevard to Market Street (previously Lawrence Street);
On race day, visitors are encouraged to access Civic Center Park by riding light rail or buses to downtown, and some buses will be running special detour routes to help accommodate the event. Please check with RTD on schedules prior to planning your trip. Go to RTD-Denver.com or call the RTD Telephone Information Center at 303-299-6000.
There will also be valet bike parking available at the Webb Building located at 201 West Colfax Boulevard, just across from Civic Center Park. Vehicle parking options include plenty of off-street garages and lots, as well as free metered parking on the street.
(KUSA-TV © 2012 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)