IDOT Alters Roadway Pattern for State Fairground Access to Improve Safety, Traffic Flow

Detour Signage in Place to Assist Motorists
 

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today announced that traffic pattern changes around the 2012 Illinois State Fair will be implemented starting tomorrow to increase safety and accommodate the parade along with anticipated traffic. Similar to last year, traffic patterns will be changed to a counterclockwise one-way pattern on streets around the state fairgrounds from Thursday morning, August 9, to Monday morning, August 20. Portable, changeable message signs will be located at the fairgrounds advising motorists prior to the traffic pattern change.

“The Illinois State Fair attracts thousands of families across the Midwest who, in turn, explore the variety of unique products, friendly competitions and entertainment venues there while sampling an array of delicious treats,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. “To accommodate the movement of motorists, IDOT is modifying traffic patterns around the fairground to ease congestion and improve safety.”

While the one-way traffic pattern is in effect, the westbound left-turn lane and the eastbound right-turn lane on Veterans Parkway will be closed at the 8th Street intersection. The closures are needed to ensure that traffic does not back up on 8th Street and onto Veterans Parkway.
The State Fair Parade route and staging area will be the same as last year. The parade will begin at the intersection of 9th Street and North Grand Avenue and continue into the Main Gate via Peoria Road and 11th Street. The staging area will be bounded by North Grand Avenue, 10th Street, Carpenter Street and 8th Street. Some additional staging will be set up along North Grand Avenue between 9th and 11th Streets.

The approximate times of traffic pattern changes are as follows:

Thursday, August 9
Fairgrounds traffic pattern:

Between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., one-way counterclockwise traffic will begin around the fairgrounds.

State Fair Parade traffic pattern:

• At approximately 11:30 a.m., 9th Street staging area will be closed. 9th Street will be closed between Carpenter Street and North Grand Avenue
• At approximately 4:30 p.m., 9th Street will be closed between North Grand Avenue and Peoria Road. Peoria Road will be closed from 9th Street to 11th Street. 11th Street will be closed from Peoria Road to the fairground’s Main Gate.
• At approximately 4:45 p.m., the staging area will be closed along North Grand Avenue between 9th and 11th Streets.
• Detour signage will be in place to assist motorists around the parade route. Travelers will be able to bypass the parade area to the east by using 19th and Carpenter Streets. Motorists will be able to bypass the parade area to the west by using 5th Street /6th Street / North Grand and J. David Jones Parkway.
• The parade is scheduled to begin at approximately 6 p.m. and end by 10 p.m. The parade route will remain closed until midnight to allow city crews to perform street sweeping and clean-up duties.

Monday, August 20
Fairgrounds traffic pattern:

• Between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m., one-way counterclockwise traffic will end.
   

Should you have questions regarding this matter, please contact IDOT District 6 at 217/785-5312.