Tour of Alberta Ready for September; City Addresses Road Closure Frustrations

LETHBRIDGE –  Lethbridge is set to host the first leg of the Tour of Alberta at the end of this month, and residents are reminded of some upcoming events and road closures.
 
Between the August 29 and 31 leading up to the big race, a large festival will be held downtown, with noon-time concerts, a pedi-cab available for rides and other fun family activities.
 
On September 1, more than 120 professional cyclists will make nine laps around the northern end of Lethbridge. They’ll race from the downtown, north on Scenic Drive to Peenaquim Park, then climb out of the river valley back towards Galt Gardens.
Unfortunately, that does come with  these following road closures:
 
Wednesday, August 31
– 3 Ave S @ 7-pm (from 5 St S to 7 St S)
– 6 St S @ 7-pm (from the alley to 3 Ave S)
– 5 St S @ 11-pm (from 1 Ave S to 3 Ave S)
– 2 Ave @ 11-pm (from 7 St S to 8 St S)
– 2 Ave @ 11-pm (from 4 St S to 5 St S)
– 7 St @ 11-pm (from 1 Ave S to 3 Ave S)
 
Thursday, September 1
– 3 Ave S @ 6-am (from 4 St S to 8 St S)
 
 
The remainder of the route will be closed at 3:30-pm on race day. All downtown roads will then re-open by 1:00-am on September 2.
 
Some intersections will remain open though to cross the route while it’s closed, and transit and Access-a-Ride busses will have right of way:
 
– 4 Ave S at 5 St S
– 4 Ave S at 7 St S
– Scenic Dr S at 2 Ave S
– Scenic Dr S at 1 Ave S
– Scenic Dr S at 3 Ave S (river valley access)
 
 
Local Chair, Chris Witkowski, ensures that event organizers have kept the downtown as accessible as possible for local businesses and shoppers.
 
“We have to create the venue. It’s not like we can just go down to the ENMAX. So, we do have to close some roads, we do have to impact the downtown a little bit. It’s definitely a challenge, but we’re trying to accommodate everybody as much as we can, while also offering this great event.”
 
The City is welcoming all residents to an open house on Tuesday (August 23) from 3 to 7-pm for further Tour of Alberta  information, including closures, detours and other community events to be aware of.
 
Parking bans along the route begin on the 31st at 7:00-pm, and will last until the end of the race. Cars will be towed if they are in the way starting on September 1 at 9:00-am. The City also reminds residents that there won’t be parking in front of City Hall, the old courthouse or Lethbridge County building.
 
Due to the route closure, the downtown transit hub will also relocate to the intersection at 4 Avenue and 9 Street South after the 2-pm departure on race day. It will remain there until 8:30-pm.
 
It’s anticipated that nearly 50-million people will watch the Tour of Alberta world-wide. The event is free for anyone to enjoy.