All Over Albany

Downtown Albany traffic Thursday: avoid

There are handful of events going on in downtown Albany this afternoon/evening, some which involve road closures: there's Alive at Five at Corning Riverfront Park; the Roger Waters concert at the TU Center (part of South Pearl closed); the Pearl Street Live block party (part of North Pearl closed). Albany police have issued a travel advisory -- details post jump. The short story: leave early, or avoid.

APD: Travel Advisory, June 28, 2012 City of Albany

The City of Albany is issuing the following travel advisory for afternoon traffic for today June 28, 2012 due to numerous special events in Downtown Albany. Motorists leaving the City of Albany after their work day or attending one of the many special events in downtown Albany may encounter delays in their commute. With the ongoing roadwork on I-787 and Alive @ 5 at Corning Riverfront Park, we are anticipating slower than normal rush hour traffic with frequent and possible longer delays in downtown. Motorists that normally use southbound Broadway and southbound Water Street to Quay Street along the river to access I-787 northbound for their ride home should seek alternate routes to avoid the delays. Northbound Broadway (RT32) into Menands to access I-787 is recommended.

IN ADDITION to these events, Road closures will be in effect for two other major special events on June 28, 2012. North Pearl Street between Columbia Street and Pine Street for "Pearl St. Live" and South Pearl Street between Hudson Avenue and Beaver Street for Roger Waters at the Times Union Center will be closed from 6:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. for these events. Motorists who are attending either of these events should plan additional commute time to avoid delays. Additionally, alternate routes should be considered to avoid the road closures. Motorists who normally use I-787 southbound to the Clinton Avenue Exit 4B to go to the Times Union Center, should use the following route to avoid the closures and arrive at the various parking areas: From the off ramp, turn left onto Broadway, then turn right onto State Street, then turn left onto South Pearl Street to avoid the above mentioned closures. Variable Message Boards will be deployed in downtown Albany on these roadways with messages showing this route. Parking is available for these two events either on the street or in the various downtown parking garages.

Motorists who use the Madison Avenue Exit 3B ramp for Times Union Center events should continue to do so as they normally would.