Super Bowl: How to get around Downtown

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Getting around downtown could be one of the biggest challenges when the NFL comes to Indianapolis for Super Bowl 46.

• Know Before You Go Official Website

Approximately 100,000 people work in downtown Indianapolis. The Super Bowl is expected to bring another 100,000 – 150,000 people to the Circle City. Downtown has roughly 70,000 parking spaces, so you can see the challenges.

That’s why the Super Bowl Host Committee has unveiled what it’s calling its “Know Before You Go” plan.

The committee has maps to show what roads will be closed and when, where parking is available plus information about shuttle buses. Those buses will allow you to park outside of the downtown area and pay $2 to park and ride into the downtown area.

Road Closures
The first of the closings and the longest running closing will be Capitol Avenue from Maryland to South Street. That will be closed from January 19 through February 10, 2012. Capitol will be closed to make way for the zipline that will be installed on Capitol at Georgia where the Super Bowl Village begins.

Most major streets downtown will be affected in some way during the course of those weeks. At the bottom of this page is a full list of the closures.

Parking Garages
Every parking garage in downtown will remain open during the Super Bowl with the exception being the main entrances to the Moon garage at Circle Centre Mall. The Super Bowl Host Committee has asked parking vendors to cap the cost of parking at $20 every day except for Super Bowl Sunday. The cost of parking downtown will be higher on game day. The parking vendors downtown have been working with their customers who pay to regularly park downtown. Their regular spots may not be available at night and on weekends during the run of the Super Bowl.

Shuttle buses
Park and ride shuttle buses will be offered at three spots outside downtown. One location is the former Indianapolis Airport long term parking at 2155 S High School Road. Another is 327 N. Illinois and the third spot is Market and New Jersey on the near east side. People can buy a parking pass in advance for those lots for $2 and get a ride to and from downtown. Those hours will coincide with the NFL Experience hours with shuttle starting at least a half hour before the venue opens and closes.

• View an interactive map of downtown Indianapolis Street Closures

Downtown Street Closures

Capitol Avenue  

• Closed from Maryland Street to South Street starting January 19, 2012. Access to the Plaza Park Garage on Capitol Avenue will be available throughout the event. 
• Capitol Avenue begins transitioning to fewer available lanes from Ohio Street to Maryland Street starting January 19, 2012. 
• Closed from South Street to McCarty Street starting January 28, 2012 to February 6, 2012.  

Illinois Street (North of Georgia Street)

• Lane restrictions begin on January 21, 2012. 
• Closed from Georgia Street to Maryland Street except for exiting traffic from the World of Wonders Parking Garage starting on January 27, 2012. 
• Will reopen to traffic in the afternoon of February 8, 2012.  

Illinois Street (South of Georgia Street)

• Lane restrictions begin on January 21, 2012 transitioning to fewer lanes Northbound from the interstate to Georgia Street.
• Closed from Louisiana Street to Georgia Street starting January 27, 2012. 
• Two-way traffic from South Street to Louisiana Street starting January 27, 2012 providing access to Pan Am Garage, Crowne Plaza, and the Omni Hotel. 
• Will reopen to traffic in the afternoon of February 8, 2012. 
• Closed from McCarty Street to South Street on Super Bowl Sunday only, February 5, 2012. 
• Full size motor coaches or oversize vehicles will not be permitted west of Meridian Street from January 27, 2012 to February 8, 2012. All motor coaches and stretch limousines will be directed South on Meridian at South Street to McCarty Street and the Super or Bowl Routes.  

Meridian Street (North of Georgia Street)

• Lane restrictions begin on January 23, 2012, with the closure of southbound Meridian from Maryland to Georgia Street.
• Northbound closed from Georgia Street to Maryland Street on January 27, 2012. 
• Meridian north of Georgia Street will reopen to traffic in the afternoon of February 8, 2012.    

Meridian Street (South of Georgia Street)

• Lane restrictions begin on  January 23, 2012. 
• Closed from Georgia Street to Louisiana Street starting  January 27, 2012. 
• Will reopen to traffic in the afternoon of February 8, 2012. 
• Full size motor coaches or oversize vehicles will not be permitted west of Meridian Street from January 27, 2012 to February 8, 2012. All motor coaches and stretch limousines will be directed South on Meridian at South Street to McCarty Street and the Super or Bowl Routes.       

Monument Circle (Southern Half)  and  Meridian Street

• Closed from Washington Street to Monument Circle on January 27, 2012