Mayor Sarno and Officials hold Public Safety and Traffic Advisory Press Conference in Advance of Weekend Events

Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, Deputy Director of Parks Peter Krupczak, Michelle Grout from the Springfield BID, Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA) Executive Director Amanda Pham, Sean Dolan, Executive Director and General Manager of the MassMutual Center, MGM Springfield Community Affairs Manager Beth Ward, Spirit of Springfield President Judy Matt, State Police Lt. Brian Clapprood, and officials from the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission were also in attendance.  

Mayor Sarno states, “With all of the events scheduled in downtown Springfield, my administration wanted to hold this public safety and traffic advisory notice to advise residents and visitors of the busy events we have scheduled for our downtown starting Thursday, June 8^th and throughout the weekend.  From world-class athletes competing in the Ironman competition to fans cheering and singing along to Bruno Mars, patrons visiting our restaurants to partake in the Springfield BID’s Restaurant Week, and award-winning actresses and comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler putting on a show, downtown Springfield will be rocking.  One would think all of these renowned and major events would be happening in a larger city but it is our Springfield that will be hosting all of these exciting and sold-out attractions right here in our downtown.”  

“Our restaurants will be full and hotels are booked solid,” said Mayor Sarno.  “For those who will be traveling, please plan accordingly for traffic and parking.  Expect delays and be patient.  Our Springfield Police Officers will be out and highly visible providing hospitality and community services and helping to direct traffic.  Please follow their directions and we’ll do our best to get you to your destination safely so you can enjoy all of the fun, entertainment and excitement all of these events have to offer.”

Below is the listing of all the events and attractions that will kick off on Thursday, June 8^th.

• Thursday, June 8^th, award-winning actresses and comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler ‘Restless Leg Tour’ at the MassMutual Center at 8:00 pm. 
• Friday, June 9^th and Saturday, June 10^th, the world renowned psychic medium Matt Frasier will be preforming at the Aria Ballroom at MGM Springfield at 8:00 pm.
• Friday, June 9^th through Sunday, June 18^th, Springfield BID’s Restaurant Week
• Saturday, June 10^th and Sunday, June 11^th, Grammy Award winner and world-renowned musical artist Bruno Mars will rock the MassMutual Center at 8:00 pm.
• Saturday, June 10^th, Roar Comedy Club welcomes Brian Glowacki at 8:00 pm.
• Sunday, June 11^th, Ironman Triathlon Western Massachusetts – race starts at 6:00 am.

On Sunday, June 11^th, more than 1,200 world-class athletes from around the world will compete in the Ironman 70.3 Western Massachusetts competition.  This triathlon event will kick off at 6:00 am at the Riverfront Park with a 1.2-mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride that will from Springfield to Agawam, Southwick, Granville, Westfield and West Springfield before returning to Springfield for the 13.1-mile run to the finish line outside Springfield City Hall. 

To provide for their safety during this competition there will be scheduled road closures.  Court Street will be closed for most of the day Saturday, June 10^th and Sunday, June 11th.  Several roads in the downtown and Riverfront Park area will be closed on Sunday, June 11^th. 

• Saturday, June 10^th at 8:00 am to Sunday, June 11^th at 8:00 pm - Court Street will be closed from East Columbus Avenue to Main Street
• Sunday, June 11^th from 4:00 am to 4:00 pm – Hall of Fame Avenue will be closed from the Memorial Bridge to State Street
• Sunday, June 11^th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – East Columbus Avenue will be closed from State Street to Court Street
• Sunday, June 11^th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm – State Street will be closed from Hall of Fame Avenue to East Columbus Avenue. 
• Sunday, June 11^th from 6:20 am to 7:50 am – Hall of Fame Avenue will be closed from Riverfront Park to South End Bridge Off Ramp
• Sunday, June 11^th from 6:00 am to 8:30 am - I-91 Exit 3 Off-Ramp

Please note that the South End Bridge, Memorial Bridge and North End Bridge will be open with temporary lane closures and/or restricted access. 

VIEW FULL LIST OF PARKING LOCATIONS AND TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES

Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood stated, “This is an exciting event with more than 1000 high-level athletes in our city.  The Springfield Police Department will have high-visibility details in the downtown and riverfront area Thursday through Sunday to ensure these athletes and their families have an enjoyable experience and want to return for future events.  If you are travelling through or in downtown Springfield Sunday, especially in the morning please give yourself extra time.”

“From both an economic-impact and visibility standpoint, June 10-11 is a hugely important weekend for Springfield and the region. We're hosting the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 Western Mass, which will bring thousands of visitors into the region and downtown. That major event coincides with performances by world famous recording star Bruno Mars at the MassMutual Center, which will see huge attendance. All of this is happening during Springfield Restaurant Week, which really showcases our exciting diversity of outstanding dining options. Literally millions of dollars will be spent here in a matter of days, and this really demonstrates the value of tourism to our local economy,” said GSCVB President Mary Kay Wydra

In addition, the Springfield BID will be kicking off their annual Restaurant Week event starting Friday, June 9^th through Sunday, June 18^th, with various restaurants and dining establishments participating not only in the downtown area but throughout the city.  

“All of these events are tremendous for our Springfield as thousands of people will make downtown Springfield their destination for a weekend of fun, entertainment and more.  I want to remind those attending any of these iconic and world-renowned events or if you have to travel downtown to plan a head accordingly and be patient.  There are nine (9) parking locations with a total parking capacity for approximately 9,176 vehicles that can be utilized for these events that are scheduled in our downtown Springfield.  This is on top of the on-street parking that is also available,” said Mayor Sarno. 

The parking locations are listed below: