Now that NASCAR has officially wrapped up street racing in Chicago, when will the streets begin to reopen after weeks of closure?
Some reopenings are underway, but closures are expected to continue in the days following the historic event.
Drivers have been forced to detour and navigate road closures throughout the construction of the course, but now the destruction must take place.
Improvements are expected to begin on Monday, however.
At least one lane of traffic was reopened on southbound Lake Shore Drive by midnight Monday. Northbound Michigan Avenue and eastbound Roosevelt Road will also see one lane reopen, while all of westbound Roosevelt Road is expected to reopen.
Here’s a look at the full reopening schedule:
Opening Schedule
July 2nd
At the end of the event, officials said the priority will be focused on opening DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue “as soon as possible.”
Northbound Lake Shore Drive is scheduled to reopen between McFetridge and Monroe and southbound Michigan Avenue will reopen between Roosevelt and Monroe before 7 a.m. July 3, officials said.
July 3rd
At least one lane of traffic is expected to reopen on southbound Lake Shore Drive by midnight on July 3. Northbound Michigan Avenue and eastbound Roosevelt Road will also see one lane reopen, while the everything west of Roosevelt Road is expected to reopen.
July 4-5
Starting at midnight and continuing until 4 p.m., officials are expected to continue removing the track wall from southbound Lake Shore Drive traffic, fully reopening the road after 4 p.m., officials said.
Then, beginning at 4 p.m. and continuing until the morning hours of July 5, the remaining walls on the north side of Michigan Avenue will be removed, “allowing three lanes” to reopen.
July 5-6
Between July 5 and July 6 Congress Circle is expected to be fully reopened.
July 6-7
Columbus Drive between Roosevelt and Balbo is expected to remain closed in both directions. Balbo Drive will also remain closed to traffic between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.
July 8-9
Jackson Drive will remain closed between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive in both directions. Closures will also continue on Columbus Drive.
July 10
- Columbus Drive has reopened in both directions between Roosevelt Road and Jakcson Boulevard, but one lane remains closed between Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard in both directions.
- Ida B. Wells between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive has been fully reopened.
- The intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive has been reopened.
July 11
Northbound Columbus Drive is fully open between Balbo Drive and Jackson Boulevard.
July 12-13
Balbo Drive has been reopened between Columbus Drive and DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
July 14-15
All streets, parking lots and sidewalks have been reopened.
Alternative Routes
For those who need to travel north or south, officials recommend:
• State of St.
• Dearborn St. (NB)
• LaSalle St. (NB and SB)
• Wells St. (SB)
• Franklin St. (NB)
• Upper Wacker Dr. (NB and SB)
For west or east:
• Upper Wacker. (EB and WB)
• Randolph St. (WB)
• Washington. (EB)
• Madison Ave. (WB)
• Roosevelt Rd. (EB and WB)
• 18th St. (EB and WB)
• 22nd St / Cermak (EB and WB)
Lower Wacker Drive will be promoted through traffic to avoid the Loop.