Mexican Independence Day caravan celebrations prompt city to limit access to downtown – NBC Chicago
A large number of car caravans celebrating Mexican Independence Day in downtown Chicago prompted city officials to block incoming traffic from entering the city’s central business district Friday evening.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications said in a news release at 8:11 p.m. that the area was closed to incoming vehicle traffic from Division to 18th Street and from DuSable Lake Shore Drive to Halsted Street, citing ” public safety due to large cars. caravans. »
Those who must travel have been advised to plan accordingly and allow extra time. People who live and work in affected areas, including intensive care workers, will be allowed access to any of the following:
- Halsted/Division
- Halsted/Chicago
- Halsted/Washington
- Halsted/Madison
- Halsted/Jackson
- Division/LaSalle
- Roosevelt/Union
- 18th/State
- 18th/Michigan
- 18th/Indiana
Additional, intermittent street closures are expected to occur throughout the night, according to authorities.
The OEMC issued an alert Thursday ahead of the celebrations, saying the city would work through the weekend to “manage traffic and public safety,” but warned that “car caravans that create a threat to public safety will not be tolerated.
“We also remind everyone that drag racing and drifting are not only illegal, but dangerous,” the agency said. “Anyone who contravenes the order will be held accountable.”
NBC Chicago
