Chicago officials are warning residents to allow extra time when driving near downtown Sunday night, with Mexican Independence Day celebrations and the El Grito festival expected to draw thousands.
According to a warning from the Office of Emergency Management and Communication, residents can “expect increased traffic” in the central business district, and street closures are possible for the second night in a row.
“Intermittent closures” went into effect downtown from 6:40 p.m. Sunday, according to OEMC officials.
That news comes a day after officials shut down many downtown streets and blocked exit ramps from the Kennedy, Dan Ryan and Stevenson Expressways. They also imposed access restrictions to urban areas, with designated checkpoints set up for residents, employees and emergency personnel.
The same closures could go into effect Sunday night, according to OEMC.
Access points in the central business district will be set up at:
Halsted/Division
Halsted/Chicago
Halsted/Washington
Halsted/Madison
Halsted/Jackson
Division/LaSalle
Roosevelt/Canal
Plains/Canal
18Th/State
18Th/Michigan
18Th/ Indiana
The city’s Central Business District is an area bounded by Division Street to the north, Halsted Street to the west, 18Th Street to the south and DuSable Lake Shore Drive to the east.
It is expected that festive motorcades will once again be on the streets to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, which falls on Monday.
Additionally, additional traffic from the El Grito Festival in Grant Park could bring more residents to the area, leading to more congestion.
We will update this story with information about closures as it becomes available.