THUNDER BRIDGE CLOSURES

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 Tuesday, April 14.

CLARK MEMORIAL/2ND STREET BRIDGE CLOSURES THIS WEEK:

* Thursday, April 16th:  9:30 a.m.-Midnight CLOSED
* Friday, April 17th CLOSED ALL DAY
* Saturday, April 18th CLOSED ALL DAY
* Sunday, April 19th CLOSED Midnight to 2:00 p.m.

PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS

From Thursday at 9:30 a.m. until Saturday at 11 a.m., pedestrian and bicyclists through-traffic 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 bridge. The bridge will be completely closed - with no shuttle van service - from Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. until Sunday, April 19, at 2:30 a.m.

TRAFFIC and EVENT HINTS for Thunder:

* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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.
* Staked tents are not permitted in Waterfront Park. They can damage the underground irrigation system.
* 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 ).