NASCAR Chicago Street Race Pre-Race Activity Set to Start on June 2

June 1, 2023

Significant Street Closures will begin Sunday, June 25

 

CHICAGO — The City of Chicago and NASCAR officials remind residents and visitors of the significant street closures set to begin on Sunday, June 25 in and around Grant Park. As Chicago hosts the first-ever cup series street race in NASCAR’s 75-year history, residents and visitors are encouraged to be mindful of the traffic impacts, as well as safety measures in place. For complete details, residents can download the community brochure and maps, street closures, FAQs, parking restrictions, and more at nascarchicago.com/localinfo/ or email NASCAR directly to info@nascarchicago.com 

 

A NASCAR Chicago Street Race hotline has been set up. The 888.629.7223 number will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST beginning Monday, June 26 through Sunday, July 2.  After 9 p.m. CST all calls will go to the voicemail box with a notification email that will be sent directly to a representative. When the Center re-opens in the morning, a representative will follow up. 

 

Report Suspicious Activity:  If You See Something, Say Something. Throughout the event, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) 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. Although the City has not received actionable threats, the Department of Homeland Security released an advisory on May 24, 2023 -  National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin. DHS emphases the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. It notes that “lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and personal grievances continue to pose a persistent threat to the United States. 

As the course and viewing structures are assembled and disassembled, Chicago residents can expect to see street closures, parking restrictions, reroutes, and traffic impacts. All businesses and residences will remain accessible throughout the race weekend. 

 

Significant Street Closures (*Updates) 

  • Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight closure of westbound Roosevelt Rd between DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Columbus Dr.  
  • Sunday, June 25 – Beginning at 1 a.m. Closure of Jackson Dr. between Michigan Ave. and Columbus Dr. and closure of Columbus Dr. between Jackson Dr. and Roosevelt Rd. 
  • Monday, 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. 
  • Monday, June 26 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight mulit-lane closure on southbound Lake Shore Dr. between Balbo Dr, and Roosevelt Rd. for track barrier installation. Travel reduced to one lane. 
  • Tuesday, June 27 – Beginning at 9 p.m. Temporary overnight mulit-lane closures on southbound Lake Shore Dr. between Balbo Dr, and Roosevelt Rd. for track barrier installation. Travel reduced to one lane. 
  • Wednesday, June 28 – Beginning at 8 p.m. Closure of southbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between Randolph St. and McFetridge Rd., traffic lane closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Van Buren and Jackson Dr.closure of Jackson Dr. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr. and closure of Monroe St. between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Dr., and Columbus Dr. Between Jackson Dr. and Monroe St. 
  • Thursday, June 29 – Beginning at 8 p.m. Closure of northbound Michigan Ave. between Balbo Dr. and Jackson Dr,   
  • Thursday, June 29 – Beginning at 10 p.m. Closure of westbound and eastbound Roosevelt Rd. between Columbus Dr. and DuSable Lake Shore Dr, and traffic lane closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Balbo Dr, and Jackson Dr., *closure of northbound Indiana Ave. From Roosevelt to 13th St. 
  • Friday, June 30 – Beginning at 5 p.m. Closure of southbound Michigan Ave. between Balbo Dr. and Jackson Dr. 

 

Race Weekend Street Closures 

  • Saturday, July 1: Northbound DuSable Lake Shore Dr. between McFetridge Dr. and Randolph St. will close at 4:00 a.m. as an added safety precaution.  
  • Monday, July 3: 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 Sunday, July 2 and all demobilization activity is expected to conclude by Saturday, July 15. 

 

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

Sidewalks will remain open throughout the event. (*Updates) 

  • 8th St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • 9th St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • 11th St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • Balbo Dr. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • Harrison St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • Ida B. Wells from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • Jackson Blvd. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5  
  • NB Michigan Ave. from Roosevelt Rd. to Balbo Dr., June 29–July 5  
  • SB Michigan Ave. from Monroe St. to Jackson Dr., June 29–July 5  
  • Van Buren St. from Wabash St. to Michigan Ave., June 29–July 5 
  • SB Indiana Ave. from Roosevelt Rd.to 13th St., June 29-July 4 

*The above Local Access Only streets will have a temporary cul-de-sac in place to allow for two-way traffic.  

 

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: Exit at 31st St. and utilize Fort Dearborn Dr. to proceed north and access 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, free festival activities associated with the Chicago Street Race will be held on Butler Field, inviting the public to 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 and welcome visitors during regular operating hours. 

 

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 now available through the Apple App and Google Play Stores. To immediately download, click HERE or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.   

 

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 to direct flow and impacts from heavy traffic. NOTE: Due to the Kennedy/Edens Expressway construction, motorists may experience delays and increased traffic on local area streets as drivers find alternative routes to avoid impacts of the project. For complete details on the construction project, visit the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) website at Idot.illinois.gov/projects/InterSt.ate-90-Kennedy-Bridge-St.udy 

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