For afternoon commuters, getting out of downtown Minneapolis has been an arduous task with some busy streets closed or slimmed down to fewer lanes due to road construction. Throw in an afternoon Lynx game and the Aquatennial Torchlight parade and the drive could get more challenging.
Roads around Target Center will likely be crowded around 2 p.m., about the time the Lynx vs. Connecticut game lets out. It's Camp Day, meaning thousands of kids will be in the stands, so look for lots of coach and school buses blocking lanes around the arena as they load up. Look for extra vehicles, too, as 17,000 fans are expected to take in the matinee, which starts at noon.
Starting around 6:45 p.m., some streets will close or have restricted traffic access as festivities related to the LifeTime Torchlight 5K and CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade get underway. The biggest shut down occurs on Hennepin Avenue between 3rd Street and Dunwoody Blvd. until roughly 10:30 p.m.
Dunwoody Blvd. and the exit from eastbound I-394 to Dunwoody also will be closed.
Downtown traffic will be able to cross Hennepin at 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th and at Maple/16th Streets. Southbound Lyndale Avenue also will remain open as will Washington Avenue, but drivers can expect delays.
In addition, the following streets will be closed from 7 to 8:30 p.m.:
• Third Street South, from Hennepin Avenue to Portland Avenue
• Portland Avenue, from Third Street South to Second Street South
• Second Street South, from Portland Avenue to 11th Avenue South
• 11th Avenue South, from Second Street South to West River Parkway
• West River Parkway, from 11th Avenue South to Portland Avenue.
Metro Transit is telling riders who take buses that pass through downtown to expect major delays as many routes will be on detour between 7 p.m. and midnight. Buses will stop at marked bus stops along detour. Among routes affected include Minneapolis routes 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, 14, 19, 22, 61, 94, 353, 675, 766 and 852. Route specific details are listed on Metro Transit's Rider Alert page.
