The highly anticipated Chicago Street Race is right around the corner. Although the first-of-its-kind initiative by NASCAR has not found an exactly joyous response from the fans, there has been some excitement around it. But one of the biggest problems for the race has been the dislocation of city dynamics.

Chicago has been known for its crowd and traffic. And this is the major concern of people protesting the idea of this race. Even though the infrastructure was not adequate previously, the announcement has triggered preparations for the same. The pavements, sideways, and roads have been invigorated as Chicago prepares for its first street race ever. But the amount of road closures has been increasing ever since. And this has given the residents something to worry about.

City Authorities Announce More Closures as Chicago Street Race Build-Up Intensifies

Some fears of Chicago residents might have come true. The resulting congestion due to the recent road closures announced by the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications has drawn much criticism. The main focus of the authority has been Jackson Drive and the roadway connecting Michigan Avenue. On June 25, the majority of the closures will initiate the process. Jackson Drive and the roads to Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive will stop any locomotion. The closure will start on Sunday at 7 p.m.

The closure will continue for some time and reopen the next day at 6 a.m. Officials around the situation have stated that the construction of track barriers has also been ongoing, due to which some closures will have to remain in place.

More such closures will take place around the city as well. The road between Michigan Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the highly crowded spot, will also stay closed starting on Monday at 6 a.m. The crowd has been diverted towards Randolph Street to ease the congestion in the streets. The alternative road will allow people to commute between MA and Columbus Drive. Columbus Drive sees more changes applied as there have been changes in restrictions on parking.

In addition to that, the galleries and stands for the audience are also under construction. This closes off the eastern side of the Avenue, blocking off the Ida B. Wells Drive as well. Chicago residents will find it tough to manage to these adjustments till next week. A change in their daily schedule might be a bit too much to ask.

All in all, the people of Chicago will see such closures from 25th June to 1st July.

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The common public of the huge city was initially quite repulsive to the idea of hosting a street race. There have also been signs of conflict on the street due to this very reason. A group of cyclists has also shown their displeasure at the increasing diversion of traffic and protested outside the City Council some days back. With another factor of increasing crime rates coming in to contribute to the reason for the dilemma, Chicago does not seem fully ready to do it.

The work might have been a bit daunting for the new executive elect Julie Giese and her team. But Giese has shown continuous signs of approaching the issue to solve it quickly and to the earliest. Mayor Brandon Johnson has also been in close talks with the organizing team to ensure the smooth operation of the event. Despite their efforts, the lack of conveying information to the public has not gone down well with the people.

Alderman Brendan Reilly, from the 42nd ward talks about the same, “The greatest frustration that I had with this event coming to Chicago is that the way the previous administration hid it. There was no transparency, and I can tell you speaking with NASCAR. Officials after the fact, they would’ve much preferred to have come and sat with us months in advance of the announcement for this event.”

Well, among such a ruckus it is tough to believe that NASCAR did not try their best to rake in more fans for the event. But their efforts in doing that have not only rather worsened the situation.

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