The Tour of Utah race will zip through downtown Salt Lake City on Friday afternoon — a bash for bicyclists and spectators but a possible commuter headache for drivers on four wheels.
“Surely, there’s going to be an impact on traffic,” said Salt Lake City police Detective Keith Horrocks.
The 6.8-mile route starts and ends at 215 N. Main. It then loops around the state Capitol, down City Creek Canyon, through the Avenues and along South Temple. Riders will make 10 loops.
Only Main Street between North Temple and 300 North will be closed entirely for most of the day. But there will be restrictions and limited traffic, on State Street, North Temple, South Temple and 500 North. A few streets will be closed only when racers are on that part of the course, Horrocks said.
Christopher Cherrington | The Salt Lake Tribune
The race starts at 12:40 p.m. and ends about 3:30 p.m. Most of the roads downtown should be fully open by 4 p.m., said Frank Zang, spokesman for Tour of Utah. The organizers timed the event with the hope of having little impact on the morning or evening commute.
The downtown stretch is Stage 4 of the seven-day, 584-mile event that started in St. George on Monday and ends in Park City on Sunday. This is the 11th year a segment will be held in Salt Lake City.
“People can see world-class cyclists right outside their door," Zang said.
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