Plan ahead for a busy Aug. 26 – 28 weekend Downtown

The weekend of Aug. 26-28 will be busy in downtown Minneapolis, as large events take place at Target Field, Target Center, the Metrodome, the Minneapolis Convention Center, and on Nicollet Mall. Combined with plays and shows going on at smaller venues, it will be an exciting weekend, but it’s important that people plan ahead and explore their transportation options. The City of Minneapolis, Metro Transit, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, and many other partners are working together to mitigate traffic congestion as much as possible and to spread the word to people who are coming Downtown this weekend so they can plan ahead.

Events that are expected to draw large crowds this weekend include:

Friday, Aug. 26

Lynx vs. San Antonio Silver Stars – 7 p.m. at Target Center

Twins vs. Detroit Tigers – 7:10 p.m. at Target Field

Saturday, Aug. 27

Twins vs. Detroit Tigers - 3:10 p.m. at Target Field

Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys preseason - 7 p.m. at the H.H.H. Metrodome

Sunday, Aug. 28

Twins vs. Detroit Tigers - 1:10 P.M. at Target Field

American Legion Parade - 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Nicollet Mall

People coming Downtown should also be aware of a street construction project that will affect traffic this weekend, particularly if drivers are coming from the south on I-35W. There will be lane restrictions on Saturday on 5^th Avenue South, as work continues to resurface the street. At least two lanes will be open to traffic throughout the work. If the resurfacing work is delayed by the weather on Saturday, the work may be rescheduled for Sunday.

Road closures around the Metrodome Aug. 27

As with all Vikings games, there will also be street closures around the Metrodome as a security measure. The following streets will be closed starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27 and are expected to reopen around 11 p.m.:

Fifth Street, from 11^th Avenue to Park Avenue

Chicago Avenue, from Third Street to Sixth Street

Fourth Street, from Park Avenue to I-35W

Norm McGrew Place, from Third Street to Fourth Street

Getting where you’re going

Downtown is an urban setting that provides transportation opportunities to meet everyone’s desired experience, whether you want to drive, ride a bus, take a train, or bike or walk.

When visiting Downtown, Target Field, or Target Center, there are four tips people should remember to minimize delays and maximize their enjoyment of all the activities happening Downtown.

1. Plan ahead – Visit DestinationTargetField.com or targetcenter.com to learn more about all your transportation choices.

2. Know your parking options – There is parking availability throughout Downtown. If you prefer convenient access to Target Field and Target Center, the adjacent A,B,C, and Hawthorne ramps have plenty of capacity. The eastern side of Downtown near the Metrodome has many ramps and surface parking lots.

3. Consider transit and bicycling – Target Field, Target Center, and the Metrodome are extremely transit- and bicycle-friendly facilities, and it’s easy to get there by light rail, commuter train, bus, or bicycle. Bicyclists are reminded to use headlights and taillights after dark.

4. Come early/Stay late – Take part in activities, shopping, dining, and other entertainment before and after games and concerts. Enjoy the extra time to experience all Downtown has to offer, and avoid transportation delays. Downtown businesses look forward to welcoming fans before and after events.

Ramp parking

If you need to drive to the game, Vikings fans should try to park near the Metrodome, and Twins parkers are encouraged to park near Target Field. This will help reduce the amount of traffic crossing through Downtown and help mitigate congestion. The City will use more than 70 dynamic messaging signs Downtown to help Twins fans find parking on the west side of Downtown and help Vikings fans find parking on the east side of Downtown.

Taking transit

Getting downtown via bus or train is convenient and economical. Plan your trip in seconds at metrotransit.org or call 612-373-3333 to speak with a transit representative.

Hiawatha light-rail or bus service are popular options and service will be maximized to accommodate game and event-goers. Dozens of local bus routes – including six Hi-Frequency routes – serve downtown. "Twins Express" bus route 679 from the park-and-ride ramp at County Road 73 and I-394 in Minnetonka serves Twins fans from the western suburbs.

Northstar commuter rail will serve every Twins and Vikings game this season. Find Northstar game schedules at metrotransit.org/twins or metrotransit.org/vikings. Northstar roundtrip family passes are available from ticket machines at Northstar’s suburban stations. Prices for a family of five – two adults and three kids ages 6 through 17 – range from $11 roundtrip at Fridley Station to $20 roundtrip at Big Lake Station.

Managing traffic

The City of Minneapolis takes a number of steps to manage traffic during concurrent events. The volume of pedestrians, bikes, and cars Downtown before and after these events means increased traffic, but there are several ways the City works to improve operations and minimize congestion, including:

Traffic control agents are at many Downtown intersections during peak times before and after the events. Traffic control agents at intersections are key to maintaining traffic flow and improving pedestrian safety when traffic volumes are high.
Special traffic signal timing patterns are used to move high numbers of vehicles during events.
Dynamic messaging signs throughout Downtown provide drivers with real-time information as they move around the area. There are currently more than 70 of these signs Downtown, which are used to direct people to parking, to notify drivers when key parking ramps fill, and to help drivers find their way around.

Making event days a great experience

Many City departments, the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, the Minnesota Ballpark Authority, Target Center, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Hennepin County, Metro Transit, ABC Ramps, the Warehouse District Business Association, and others are all taking steps to make event days in Downtown success. To help fans plan ahead and make the most of their experience, these partners have collaborated to create DestinationTargetField.com on the Minnesota Twins website. The site helps folks explore all their options for getting to Downtown events, whether it’s by car, on a bus or train, or by biking or walking.

Published Aug. 24, 2011