Seeking to quash concerns about Super Bowl traffic jams, event organizers presented their plans for road closures and transit adjustments on Monday, more than two months before the game.
Super Bowl officials push transit, hubs, parking apps in planning for the week
The takeaway : Use mass transit when possible.
November 14, 2017 at 9:55PM
The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee, Metro Transit and the city of Minneapolis released the "Know Before You Go" trove of road closings, increased transit options, parking spaces and traffic routes available online at mnsuperbowl.com/transportation.
Super Bowl vice president of operations Kyle Chank said, "The good news is Minnesota is ready, prepared and most of all excited."
The newly unveiled website shows drivers which roads will be closed when, and what parking lots have space available. There's also a guide for how to dress for varying degrees of cold.
Chank and the others emphasized that mass transit is the best option for getting around town during the festivities.
Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb said transit hours will be extended, as will park-and-ride options. Diligent planners can purchase ride tickets ahead of time on the app.
One of the unusual aspects of the travel plan is a game day move that has been called the "bubble." Those who have tickets to the game will be able to go through security at two satellite spots: the Mall of America and Stadium Village. Fans will then board light-rail cars that will carry them directly into the secure zone of the stadium. The trains won't stop or open their doors en route.
Chank estimated that some 20,000 fans, about a third of whom will attend the game, will use that method — reducing potential wait times at the stadium.
At the beginning of a news conference Monday, moved from the Mall of America to U.S. Bank Stadium's Medtronic Club because of the stabbings on Sunday, Chank projected an image on the screen of access and egress to downtown in the lead-up to the game. "Your normal commute to and from work will not be affected," he said.
But there will be some traffic tightening and road closures in certain areas, mainly around the stadium, at 8th Street S. and Nicollet Mall, and the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Plans for those street closures were released last week and are under consideration by the City Council.
Rochelle Olson • 612-673-1747
Twitter: @rochelleolson
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
