CHICAGO — The City of Chicago and NASCAR officials are announcing the traffic plan for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, which takes place July 6–7, 2024. Based on lessons learned from 2023, NASCAR and the city have been able to trim six days off the course build, reducing set up and break down time to just 19 days in 2024 from 25 days in 2023. The updated traffic plan provides an outline for street closures, parking restrictions, and pedestrian routes in and around Grant Park. As Chicago hosts the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series street races for the second year, residents and visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the traffic impacts, as well as safety measures in place.

 

“Now in its second year, the City of Chicago has been working with NASCAR in the planning and execution of the 2024 race to minimize disruptions to residents and visitors,” said Jose Tirado, Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC). “Safety is our top priority, and OEMC will help monitor all race activity leading up to the event, through the race weekend, and following the event to help coordinate city resources.”

 

As the course and viewing structures are assembled and disassembled, City of Chicago and NASCAR officials are working to further minimize impacts of street closures, parking restrictions, reroutes, and traffic. All businesses and residences will remain accessible during course set up, race weekend and the break-down.

 

For complete details, residents can download the community brochure, maps, street closure information, FAQs, parking restrictions, and more at nascarchicago.com/localinfo/ or email NASCAR directly at info@nascarchicago.com.

 

Pre-race activity in Grant Park

· Monday, June 10: Ida B. Wells Dr. will close from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr. starting at 12:01 a.m. to allow for construction of the main viewing areas; and limited parking restrictions will be put in place along southbound Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Balbo Dr.

· Wednesday, June 19 to Thursday, June 20: Temporary road closure from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on northbound Michigan Ave. from Congress Circle to Jackson Dr.to allow for a pedestrian walkway to be installed while viewing structures are being assembled.

· Wednesday, June 26 – Beginning at 8 p.m.: Northbound traffic lane closure on Congress Circle.

· Thursday, June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m. Curb lane closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd.

 

Significant Street Closures

· Thursday, June 27 – Beginning at 7 p.m. Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr.

· Friday, June 28 – Beginning at 8 a.m. Closure of Balbo Dr. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr. (intersection will remain open).

· Friday, June 28 – Beginning at 7 p.m. Full closure of Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.

· Saturday, June 29 - Beginning at 7 p.m. Southbound lane closure on Columbus Dr. from Balbo Dr. to Roosevelt Rd.

· Monday, July 1 – Beginning at 1 a.m. Closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. Closure of Jackson Dr. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

· Monday, July 1 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd. Reopening at 6 a.m. on July 2.

· Tuesday, July 2 – Beginning at 6 a.m. Closure of Congress Circle and entrances at Michigan Ave., Van Buren St. and Harrison St.

· Thursday, July 4 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Rd. between Michigan Ave. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr.

· Friday, July 5 – Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Closure of northbound and southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd. Closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Roosevelt Rd. and Jackson Dr. Closure of the northbound lane of Indiana Ave. at 13th St. Closure on Monroe St. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

 

Race Weekend Street Closures – Saturday, July 6 and Sunday July 7

· Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from Randolph St. to McFetridge Dr.

· Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from McFetridge Dr. to Randolph St.

· Northbound Michigan Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to Jackson Dr.

· Southbound Michigan Ave. from Jackson Dr. to 8th St.

· Monroe St. from Columbus Dr. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

· Columbus Dr. from Roosevelt Rd. to Monroe St.

· Roosevelt Rd. from DuSable Lake Shore Dr. to Michigan Ave.

· Jackson Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

· Balbo Dr. from Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr.

· Ida B. Wells Dr. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.

· Congress Circle from Harrison St. to Van Buren St.

· Northbound Indiana Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to 13th St.

· Post Place: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.

· Garvey Ct.: Entrance and exit of Lower Wacker Dr.

· Monday, July 8: Select streets will begin reopening following the conclusion of the event. All street closures are expected to remain in effect as demobilization of the track wall, fence, and viewing structures takes place.

· NOTE: The priority streets to reopen are DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Michigan Ave., and Columbus Dr. Other street closures will remain in effect as demobilization of the track wall, fence, and viewing structures takes place.

· Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will begin reopening Monday, July 8 at 6 a.m., with all NASCAR-related demobilization activity expected to conclude by end of day July 18th.

 

Streets with Local Access Only for Residents, Businesses and their Employees.

Sidewalks will remain open throughout the set-up and tear-down (June 10 – July 18).

· Southbound Michigan Ave. from Monroe St. to Jackson Dr.

· Southbound Michigan Ave. from 8th St. to Roosevelt Rd.

· 8th St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· 9th St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· 11th St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· Balbo Dr. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· Harrison St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· Ida B. Wells from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· Jackson Blvd. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· Van Buren St. from Wabash Ave. to Michigan Ave.

· Monroe St. from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.

· Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. from Randolph St. to Monroe St.

· Northbound Michigan Ave. from 13th St. to 16th St.

· Northbound Indiana Ave. from 14th St. to 16th St.

· Columbus Underpass and the Chicago Lakefront Bicycle Path will remain open throughout the event (this includes Monroe St. and Roosevelt Rd.).

· Pedestrians traveling west must utilize and access sidewalk on the north side of Monroe St., Roosevelt Rd. or Columbus Dr. underpass only.

 

Alternative Routes Available – NOTE: Streets may be closed by the City of Chicago, if deemed necessary.

· DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Northbound will remain open from South Shore Dr. to I-55 merger.

· To visit the Museum Campus from the South: Exit DuSable Lake Shore Dr. at 31st St. and utilize Fort Dearborn Dr. to proceed north and access 18th Dr.

· To visit the Museum Campus from the North: Access Stevenson Expressway (I-55N)/ and merge onto N/DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Exit at 18th Dr.

· DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Southbound will remain open from Hollywood Blvd. to Randolph St.

· Inner DuSable Lake Shore Dr. will remain open in both directions.

· Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions.

· Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) will remain open in both directions. Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will remain open in both directions.

· Stevenson Expressway (I-55) will remain open in both directions.

· In the Loop – the following Streets will remain open: State St., Dearborn St., Clark St., LaSalle St., Wells St., Franklin St., Upper Wacker Dr., Lower Wacker Dr., Randolph St., Washington St., Madison St., Roosevelt Rd. – West of Michigan Ave., 18th St.

 

The Chicago Park District will prioritize public access during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, keeping more than half of the park open during the event, including set-up and tear-down. Access to popular park features like Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field, and Lower Hutchinson Field will remain accessible to the public with minimal restrictions that equate to less than one-fifth of event operation days.

 

In addition, NASCAR will host free festival activities associated with the Chicago Street Race in Butler Field, inviting the public to join in the race week festivities and learn more about NASCAR

without the price of admission. Maggie Daley Park, Cancer Survivor’s Garden, and the Museum Campus will remain open and accessible throughout the event.

 

The Chicago OEMC app is also a great tool to download as street closures and other event information will be added in the coming weeks. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC

 

Report Suspicious Activity: If You See Something Say Something. The city reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

 

Pole Markers/Location Identifiers: For public safety on the lakefront, race event and concert attendees are reminded to be aware of the numbers attached to the poles throughout the Grant Park area to help reference their location within the park if you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers will be able to provide the location to first responders. They can also be used between friends and family members as a meeting point if you become separated. For complete details, click HERE.

 

Public Transportation: As for any large–scale event, public transportation is encouraged, and both CTA and Metra will provide additional service for the event. Public transit is the most affordable and convenient way to get to and from the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. For more information, visit CTA at TransitChicago.com and Metra.com.

 

Motorists in the areas around Grant Park and the Loop during the week leading up to and during race weekend should be prepared for heavy traffic and possible reroutes. There will be some street closures to ensure public safety. Traffic Control Aides (TCAs) will be on site to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic.

 

Emergency Alerts for Residents and Businesses

OEMC will continue to monitor events and weather and will issue any emergency alerts and notifications as necessary. Get alerts and notifications from OEMC to keep residents and businesses up-to-date on weather and traffic conditions as well as emergencies: · Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at notifychicago.org

· CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5

· CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

 

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit OEMC’s website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook, X/Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911) using the hashtags #ChicagoOEMC