AVOIDING TRAFFIC SNARLS THIS WEEKEND

Thursday, May 1, 2014

May 1, 2014--With hundreds fewer parking spaces across from the Convention Center and construction in the same area limiting traffic flow, Bloomsday officials are urging participants to give themselves extra time to pick up their Bloomsday numbers this weekend.


"The expansion of the Convention Center and construction of a new hotel across the street are going to be great additions to Spokane," said Lilac Bloomsday Association President Steven Jones. "But they'll make getting in and out of the area challenging for at least this year."


In an effort to make the trek to Bloomsday Check-In less stressful, and to reduce traffic on Spokane Falls Boulevard, Bloomsday will be providing a Durham shuttle bus service from the Spokane Arena to the Convention Center. The shuttle will run from one hour before Check-In opens until one hour after it closes on both Friday and Saturday. Riders should look for the yellow buses. There's no charge for the shuttle, but parking at the Arena is $6.00. Parking is also available at downtown lots and meters all weekend.


In addition, both sides of the road on Browne Street between Spokane Falls Boulevard and Main Avenue will be available for cars dropping off participants who are picking up race packets.


On Bloomsday morning, parking is available at the Arena and dozens of lots downtown. Organizers urge those driving to carpool to reduce congestion. In addition, the STA will be facilitating travel to and from downtown with their popular Bloomsday shuttle, which operates from four satellite locations. Drop off and pickup for the shuttle will be on 1st Avenue between Post and Stevens. Those who didn't sign up for an STA Bloomsday shuttle pass during online registration can purchase one at the Bloomsday Trade Show.


For those not participating, travel through downtown on Sunday morning will be available on Ash, Maple, Division/Browne, and Hamilton which remain open all day on Bloomsday. Streets near the start (downtown Spokane) and finish (MonroeStreetBridge) are closed beginning at 5:00 a.m., and reopen about 2:00 p.m. Other streets on the Bloomsday course begin closing at 7:30 a.m. and reopen after the final walkers pass. This will be as early as 11:00 a.m. for Riverside west of  Monroe, and as late as 2:00 p.m. for Broadway west of Monroe.


Regular bus riders (not Bloomsday shuttle riders) should note that the Plaza will be closed to bus traffic on Bloomsday morning. All downtown routes will detour and use an alternate boarding and alighting area. Additional information is on the STA website.


For those still wanting to participate, late registration for Bloomsday is available for $35.00 during regular Check-In hours at the Convention Center on Bloomsday weekend.

 

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