Here is a heads up for downtown workers who may have forgotten or were unaware that the Vikings have a primetime game at U.S. Bank Stadium Thursday night.
Kickoff against the Dallas Cowboys isn't until 7:25 p.m., but a few streets around the stadium will close starting around 4:30 p.m. The big one is 4th Street between Park Avenue and I-35W, a popular way for many commuters to get onto southbound I-35W or Hiawatha Avenue or westbound I-94. That likely will put extra pressure on Washington Avenue and 8th Street, two other roads leading to major exit points.
Also closing is the one-block segment of Norm McGrew Place between 3rd and 4th Streets.
Starting Wednesday, the two-block segment of Chicago Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets right in front of U.S. Bank Stadium will close at noon Wednesday. Yep, a whole day early.
All streets will reopen an hour after the game is over.
The street closings are for traffic safety and security needs related to a large stadium event, the City of Minneapolis said.
No other streets will be blocked off, but the Thursday game could muck up the evening rush hour on other downtown streets, too. A sell-out crowd is expected for the game, which means more than 66,000 fans will be making their way into downtown just as many workers are trying to leave.
Along with extra traffic on the streets, ramp parking could be tricky as spaces normally empty on a typical Sunday might be occupied by workers still on their job. So be aware as drivers jockey for positions, both entering and exiting ramps and lots.
