The Springfield Police Department would like to inform our residents and visitors of some road closures this upcoming weekend to ensure the safety of athletes participating in Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts.
The half-ironman event is taking place Sunday June 11 with the first swimmer in the Connecticut River at 6:00 a.m. After the 1.2 mile swim, athletes will have a 56 mile bike ride that will take them from Springfield to Agawam, Southwick, Granville, Westfield and West Springfield before returning to Springfield for the 13.1 mile run to the finish line outside Springfield City Hall.
Athletes and their families will begin arriving in the area Thursday with more than 1200 athletes expected to participate.
Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood stated, “This is an exciting event with more than 1000 high-level athletes in our city. The Springfield Police Department will have high-visibility details in the downtown and riverfront area Thursday through Sunday to ensure these athletes and their families have an enjoyable experience and want to return for future events. If you are travelling through or in downtown Springfield Sunday, especially in the morning please give yourself extra time.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “This is a tremendous event for the City of Springfield to host where world-class athletes will compete in the 70.3 Ironman triathlon event. This athletic competition will attract thousands of athletes and their families and supporters to our city where they will patronize our local restaurants and stay at local hotels. To keep everyone safe, our brave and dedicated Springfield Police Officers will be out and highly visible in our downtown and riverfront area to provide hospitality and public safety aspects so that everyone has a good time, enjoys themselves and gets home safely. Please note that there will be road closures and traffic changes downtown during this weekend for this world-class Ironman competition, so please plan ahead accordingly.”
Court Street will be closed for most of the day Saturday and Sunday. Several roads in the downtown and Riverfront Park area will be closed on Sunday.
Road Closures and Times are Subject to Change
Saturday June 10 at 8:00 a.m. to Sunday June 11 at 8:00 p.m.
- Court Street will be closed from East Columbus Avenue to Main Street
Sunday June 11 from 4:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Hall of Fame Avenue will be closed from the Memorial Bridge to State Street
Sunday June 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- East Columbus Avenue will be closed from State Street to Court Street
Sunday June 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- State Street will be closed from Hall of Fame Avenue to East Columbus Avenue.
Sunday June 11 from 6:20 a.m. to 7:50 a.m.
- Hall of Fame Avenue will be closed from Riverfront Park to South End Bridge Off Ramp
Sunday June 11 from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
- I-91 Exit 3 Off-Ramp
The South End Bridge, Memorial Bridge and North End Bridge will be open with temporary lane closures and/or restricted access.
Original source can be found here.
