Downtown NASCAR event expected to impact traffic, public transportation

JUNE 12, 2023  

The city of Chicago will host a NASCAR race called the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend on July 1 and July 2 in Grant Park downtown.

Although the race should cause minimal direct impacts near the University of Chicago's main campus in Hyde Park, significant street closures downtown and changes to public transportation schedules could slow down transportation to many parts of the city, including our campus and nearby areas.

Street closures will begin downtown the week of June 19 and run through July 13.

One of the largest changes for UChicago commuters will be DuSable Lake Shore Drive closing entirely to southbound traffic from Randolph Street through McFetridge Drive, starting June 28 through July 3. DuSable Lake Shore Drive will be closed to northbound traffic on July 1 and is expected to reopen on July 2. These closures will likely cause slowdowns and delays on alternate routes as well.

The race will affect the Downtown Campus Connector shuttle, which will be rerouted at its normal stop on Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road beginning Monday, June 26. Instead of using Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive to arrive at the Gleacher Center, it will be rerouted to use State Street to avoid the street closures. The alternative stop for the Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road stop will be at the southeast corner of State Street and Roosevelt Road, which will still service the CTA's Red Line station on the way back to Hyde Park. Other Downtown Campus Connector stop locations will not change. We anticipate potential delays due to rerouted downtown traffic during this period.

A list of all the expected street closures can be found on the event's website.