2010 THUNDER BRIDGE CLOSURES & COMMUTER SHUTTLE

2010-04-13

The Derby Festival will be closing the Clark Memorial/2nd Street Bridge this week in preparation for Thunder Over Louisville. We ask your help in communicating this information to the public in the coming days. The Louisville Metro Police Department will release their Thunder traffic plan at a press conference on Thursday, April 15.

CLARK MEMORIAL/2ND STREET BRIDGE CLOSURES THIS WEEK:

Thursday, April 15th:  9:30 a.m.-Midnight CLOSED
Friday, April 16th CLOSED ALL DAY
Saturday, April 17th CLOSED ALL DAY
Sunday, April 18th CLOSED Midnight to 2:00 p.m.

PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLE COMMUTERS:

From Thursday at 9:30 a.m. until Saturday at 11 a.m., pedestrian and bicycle commuters needing to cross the Clark Memorial/2nd Street Bridge may do so using a free shuttle van operated, as needed, by the Kentucky Derby Festival. To request a van ride, speak with a security officer at either end of the Clark Memorial Bridge. The bridge will be completely closed – and no shuttle with operate – from Saturday, April 17, at 11 a.m. until Sunday, April 18, at 2:30 a.m.

TRAFFIC and EVENT HINTS for Thunder:

• Canopies or tents of ANY kind are not permitted within Waterfront Park. They can damage the underground irrigation system. Structures will be required to be taken down.
• Kentucky Derby Festival, Louisville Metro Police Department and Waterfront Development Corp. personnel will strictly enforce NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING, NO TENTS – all personal items left unattended overnight in the event venue will be considered abandoned and removed (camping gear, coolers, tarps, chairs, etc ).
• There are no cans, glass, bikes, skates, skateboards or pets permitted in the permitted event area.  (This runs north of Main to the River bounded by Clay and 8th). Patrons can bike or board to the event venue, but will be asked to carry them while in the permitted area due to safety in large crowds. Picnic baskets, plastic bottles, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. All parcels will be subject to police search.
• Arrive as early as practical for the best space. (Waterfront will open at 8 a.m. for the public.)  FoodFest and Thunder on the Ground (interactive exhibits) open at 11 a.m. throughout the venue. The Thunder Chow Wagon at Waterfront Park also opens at 11 a.m. It is a Pegasus Pin admission. The airshow begins at 3 p.m. The fireworks kick off at 9:30 p.m.
• Park as far away from the event area as you can comfortably walk. This will make exiting traffic easier. Visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/metropolice for the best place to park to exit in the direction you intend to go.
• Use TARC buses to get to the event. TARC offers several committed routes and buses for the Thunder viewing audience. Check out their full schedule for Thunder Day buses at www.ridetarc.org
• P.A.R.C. Garages in the area are accessible until full for special event rates. For more information on garage and lot locations contact the Parking Authority of River City (PARC) at (502) 587-PARK. All handicapped spaces are honored until full.
• FREE Thunder Valet Bike Parking is available through Louisville Metro’s Bike Louisville program. Just ride to the northeast corner of Witherspoon Street and Preston Street across from Slugger Field. The bicycle parking facility will be open from Noon – 11 PM.
• There are 525 port-a-cans in the event area. With large crowds anticipated, be advised of long lines and be prepared with additional toilet paper.