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(Photo Credit: Ken Murray/Getty Images)

On Sunday, September 9th, your Indianapolis Colts open the regular season at Lucas Oil Stadium AND the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host the Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard. Exciting, yes?

And since we do TRAFFIC in the TRAFFIC BLOG, I’m going to poke around the city and “map up” a rundown of the city’s sore spots and other TRAFFIC related stuff.

Since the Colts kickoff before the Brickyard…


HORSESHOES

COLTS VS BENGALS, 1:00PM KICKOFF

kid(Photo Credit: Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The Colts host the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday afternoon on 1070 “the Fan” and FM 107.5. Broadcast starts at 10am. It should be one of many wins this season for the Colts (3-13). Enjoy Andrew Luck in the closest thing to a healthy state he’s been in since he suffered injuries that were compared to getting hit by a bus, not-to-mention repeated injuries to his throwing shoulder. Pray Bengals’ linebacker Vontaze Burfict doesn’t skin whatever turnstile is playing right or left tackle and dismember our poor Andy. Do you know that’s the only injury he hasn’t had? He’s never lost a limb on the football field. Rumor has it he played through Typhoid Fever and Trench Foot.

Anyways, watch out for weekend construction. Here’s what we know so far:

Pen Pike

This has really stuffed up traffic the last few weekends. Plan accordingly – especially if you’re coming in from Muncie or Fishers – and check back here for updates. 

Be weary of Meridian St. if you’re coming in from Kokomo. Not only does it have a closure and reroute at 30th St., but there’s a big, fat constrcution project from 38th St. to 18th St. This has cut Meridian down to one lane in both directions:

Red Line

It hasn’t been tested with gameday traffic yet, but given how it’s held up during rush hour (or NOT held up during rush hour), I’d plan to roll this stretch at a very, very slow pace. Did I mention the left turns? Oh yeah, there are a bunch of new places you can’t turn left in the construction zone:

Left Turns

Alternative? Use Capitol or West St. They’ll put you right on the stadium.

If you’re local, do what I do and just grab an UBER. It’ll cost you a few bucks, but the price is reasonable considering the safety and convenience:

Colts Uber

 

As far as traffic goes, downtown will be a zoo. Run your errands and such the night before, because the Colts home opener will bring a ton of out-of-town vehicular traffic that may be unfamiliar with the area, not to mention mobs of Colts fans on the crosswalks.


HORSEPOWER

BIG MACHINE VODKA 400, 2:00pm

racing

(Photo Credit: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

Full coverage of the race – with FULL PRERACE TRAFFIC (ahem) – is on 93 WIBC.

Just an hour later, the green flag drops on the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Watch for these street closures while making your way to the race:

  • 16th St. will close from the roundabout to Olin Ave at approximately 1:30pm until the end of the race. Also, 16th St. will not be accessible from Polco St. during the closure.
  • Georgetown Rd. will close south of 25th St. to all vehicular traffic at 11am.

Also, there’s a cab stand and UBER lot. Check it out:

Speedway

PARKING:

  • Infield Race Day Parking: Fans with a pre-paid infield parking pass will enter the track through Gate 2 or Gate 10. Infield lots open at 10 a.m.

Gate 2: Enter westbound off of 16th St. Use the right two lanes to enter Gate 2.

Gate 10: Enter off of 30th St.

*You must have a pre-purchased parking pass to enter any IMS infield lot. This includes Race Day infield ADA parking.

  • Exterior Race Day Parking: Lots open at 9 am.

All Race Day parking options in exterior lots can be purchased on site, as space remains.

Thank you to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website for the parking information. For more tips on parking on race day, visit the town of Speedway website.


I’ll be doing traffic for both the Colts’ home opener and the race. Check out the entire broadcast because IT. WILL. BE. GREAT!

Up next? I-465 closure and reroutes! Thought we were out of the woods, huh?

Yeah, me neither.

See you next time.

-Bair


Matt Bair worries about Andrew Luck’s health so much, he hopes his license is suspended to avoid even a simple fender bender. He’s the new voice of Indianapolis traffic, and can be followed on Twitter @WIBCTraffic..Tips? Call direct at (317) 684-8134 or the 93 WIBC Newsroom at (317) 637-6397.

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