AUSTIN, Texas - The 88th Annual Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays will last through Saturday, March 28 and a large number of people are expected to attend. In an effort to make the traffic flow smoother, APD is closing down some streets and suggesting alternative routes.
Consistent with normal Austin downtown special event procedures, during the evenings of Friday, March 27, 2014 through Sunday, March 29, 2015, East 6th Street between Brazos Street and the west frontage road of IH-35 will be closed to ensure pedestrian safety.
Additionally, the 500 and 600 blocks of Sabine, Red River, Neches, Trinity and San Jacinto Streets will be closed. Motorists are asked to adhere to signs posted in these areas that will provide warning of when vehicles will be towed.
The street closures may begin as early as 6 p.m. The following streets may be intermittently closed when necessary for traffic safety:
-5th and 6th Streets from the east frontage road of IH-35 to San Marcos Street
-Southbound IH-35 exit ramps at 8th -6th and Cesar Chavez Street
-Northbound 6th street exit ramp will be closed
-6th Street, between the east frontage road of IH-35 and San Marcos Street
-Brushy Street, between 5th and 7th Streets
APD will be assigning officers to intersections with a history of gridlock to ensure that people do not enter a blocked intersection, which is a violation of City Ordinance.
In the event IH-35 ramps are required to be closed, the traffic will be continuously monitored and the ramps will be reopened when traffic safety will not be compromised. All streets will be monitored and will reopen when it is safe to do so.
Alternate routes to the downtown area are highly recommended to reduce the amount of traffic congestion on IH-35 in the 6th Street area.
Drivers are encouraged to use Mopac Expressway, Congress Avenue, Martin Luther King Boulevard, Guadalupe Street, or Lamar Boulevard to get into the downtown area.
Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution when in the 6th Street Entertainment District due to high pedestrian traffic.
The APD will be working with the City Right-of-Way Management and Texas Department of Transportation to assess traffic flow throughout the weekend and make changes as necessary to assist drivers in safely reaching their destinations.