If you’re anywhere in vicinity of the South by Southwest events popping off, you’re altogether aware that Downtown is an unqualified clusterfuck. The city has released a list of street closures for those of y’all heading into the belly of the beast, posted below.
As the fine folks at the City of Austin note, “anyone heading to Downtown Austin should share rides; bike; or use public transit if at all possible.” Outta towners, steer your iPhone browser to www.capmetro.org.
From the COA:
City lists SXSW traffic information for downtown area
Street closures center on Sixth Street area March 17-21
The South by Southwest music events that begin Wednesday, March 17, will be accompanied by road closures in the downtown area, centered around the Sixth Street entertainment district.
The City of Austin has worked with SXSW officials throughout the year to achieve a balance between traffic lane closures for events with mobility and access to downtown destinations.
Map of SXSW street closures:
www.ci.austin.tx.us/specialevents/downloads/sxsw_map_031210.pdf
Complete list of SXSW street closures:
www.ci.austin.tx.us/specialevents/downloads/sxsw_closures_031210.pdf
In addition to the street closures, a number of private parties and events in the downtown core and just east of I-35 may create additional traffic delays.
Creating the balance between traffic mobility and event success is important to the City of Austin. Austin enjoyed an economic boost of approximately $100 million from the 175,000 SXSW participants in 2009, according to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.
With the large festival turnout and fewer streets on which to park, anyone heading to Downtown Austin should share rides; bike; or use public transit if at all possible. Capital Metro will run six Night Owl routes that travel until 3 a.m. For more information about the Night Owl and other downtown routes visit www.capmetro.org.
Street closures:
East Sixth Street will be closed 10 a.m. March 17 until 3 a.m. March 21, but will be open for drivers during peak morning commuting hours (6 to 10 a.m.) on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the music festival. Commercial deliveries can be made on Sixth Street and Red River Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
Drivers on Fifth and Seventh streets will have slightly reduced access due to a single lane of closure on those streets. Eighth, Ninth, 10th and Brazos streets stay open continuously during the SXSW event.
East of I-35, East Fifth Street between Waller and San Marcos streets will be reduced to westbound traffic only from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and noon -11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
These closed lanes can be used by businesses and bands to load and unload. Any bagged meters in the downtown area can be used for loading and unloading, but unattended vehicles will be towed.
SXSW is also sponsoring free live concerts at Auditorium Shores March 18, 19 and 20. Drivers in the area can expect traffic delays.
Major street closures March 17 – 21 include:
o East Sixth Street, 200 -700 blocks
**Closed 10 a.m. March 17 until 3 a.m. March 21, except for weekday morning rush hour.
o North–south routes that cross Sixth Street: 500-600 blocks of San Jacinto Boulevard and Trinity, Neches, Red River and Sabine Streets.
**Closed 5 a.m. March 17 until 4 a.m. March 21.
o Red River Street, between intersections, from 500 through 1000 blocks
**Closed 5 a.m. March 17 until 4 a.m. March 21
o Waller Street, from East Fourth Street to East Fifth Street.
**Closed 5 a.m. March 17 until 4 a.m. March 21
o For the concerts at Auditorium Shores on March 18, 19 and 20, the westbound right hand traffic lane of 600 through 800 blocks of West Riverside Drive.
**Closed 6 p.m. until midnight March 18 and 19; 6 p.m. until midnight March 20.
For more information, visit the SXSW Web site at: www.sxsw.com.
This article appears in March 12 • 2010.