(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As Chicago gears up to host a NASCAR race in Grant Park for the second consecutive year, city and race officials say they are reducing major road closures by nearly a week compared with last year.
The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series are scheduled for July 6-7, but setup and breakdown of the race course mean some road closures will begin as early as June 10 and last through July 18.
Major road closures for setup and teardown should last 19 days — from June 26 to July 15 — compared with 25 days last year — from June 18 to July 13, according to a news release from the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Officials accomplished this shorter timeline by moving equipment deliveries from Columbus Drive to Ida B. Wells, reducing use of the busy north-south corridor by eight days, from 20 days to 12 days, an OEMC spokesperson said.
When Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration and NASCAR announced the 2024 race schedule last October, the city said it got the racing franchise to commit to shorter road closures and cover more costs.
The course layout is the same as last year.
All businesses and homes near the race course will be accessible, the release said.
“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,” OEMC Executive Director Jose Tirado said in the release.
Most of Grant Park will remain open and accessible, including Buckingham Fountain, Butler Field and Lower Hutchinson Field. Maggie Daley Park, Museum Campus and the Cancer Survivor’s Garden will also be open.
The CTA and Metra are planning extra service during the NASCAR races. Traffic is expected to be heavy ahead of and during race weekend.
More resources, including a community brochure, maps, street closure information, frequently asked questions and parking restrictions at nascarchicago.com/localinfo.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire & Chicago Sun-Times 2024.
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