The NFL Draft is set to hit Chicago at the end of the month, but your commute might start getting messy days before it arrives.
The city's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) announced a series of road closures for the Draft, the first of which begin April 21.
Traffic around Grant Park and Roosevelt University will be diverted to make way for Draft events April 30 to May 2. OEMC officials encourage residents to allow extra time, expect delays and consider alternate routes to avoid the impact of the event.
Find details below about which streets will close and when:
- Michigan Avenue (southbound) between Congress and Van Buren -- April 21 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Michigan Avenue (northbound) between Van Buren and Congress -- April 21 from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
- Congress between Michigan and Columbus, including Congress Circle -- April 22 at 6 a.m. until May 8
- Columbus between Balbo and Jackson -- April 27 at 6 a.m. until May 4
- Michigan Avenue between Balbo and Jackson -- April 30 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Wabash between Harrison and Jackson -- April 30 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Van Buren between Michigan and State -- April 30 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Congress between Michigan and State -- April 30 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.
In addition to full road closures, some lanes may be reduced and sidewalks temporarily closed in preparation of the Draft.
"No Parking Zones" signs will be posted around Grant Park to inform drivers of parking restrictions. The towing of cars that are illegally parked will be strictly enforced, OEMC officials said.
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The 2015 NFL Draft will host Selection Square, home of the 32 Draft tables, in Congress Plaza and Draft Town in Grant Park from April 30 through May 2.
To further complicate the road closures, the 124th Annual Polish Constitution Day Parade will take place May 2 in the same area. The parade kicks off at Dearborn and Wacker Drive at 11:30 a.m. and includes more than 100 marching acts.
