Ready for extra downtown traffic?

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - With visitors in town for Super Bowl festivities and traffic restrictions in play, downtown traffic tie-ups are expected to grow Monday morning as the workweek begins.

Organizers are asking drivers to “know before they go.”

Bottlenecks developed along Pennsylvania Street during the Friday afternoon rush. Organizers said heavy pedestrian traffic prevented cars from turning left onto Maryland Street. Monday, once the Super Bowl Village and NFL Experience open at 3 p.m., additional Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department bicycle officers will be out in that area, separating pedestrians and cars.

“[Department of Public Works] and IMPD will be working together on that,” Super Bowl Host Committee Vice President Mel Raines said. Bike racks will push pedestrians onto the east side of the street so they can continue to move while traffic turns left. "We’re learning and adjusting from what we saw there on Friday," he added.

• ONLINE EXTRA | Take a look at Super Bowl-related downtown traffic restrictions before you head into the city

For the morning rush Monday, traffic is expected to be heaviest south of South Street.

“Most garages will be honoring their normal monthly parkers there, so we’re asking drivers to pay special attention to the points near South Street. Illinois and Meridian will become pinch points in the morning rush, so if you can stay north of [Monument] Circle, that will help you avoid some of that pinch,” Raines said.

Drivers can also help by thinking outside the box.

"One of the best things people who work downtown can do is stagger their work hours. Come in a little earlier or leave a little earlier. That's going to make their commute easier and alleviate some of the pressure on folks who can't leave earlier. That's one thing," Raines said. "Also, car pooling. If you live near someone and can ride together for the next few days, that's one less car on the street, which will be helpful for everyone."

You can also hop on the bus.

A new shuttle service between Carmel and Fishers and downtown Indianapolis begins running Monday at 1 p.m. All downtown IndyGo routes will be free starting Thursday.

Monday’s downtown traffic - while heavier than last week’s - is expected to be the lightest of the week.

“Monday through Wednesday will be very similar, save Tuesday morning when we’ll have Media Day events happening,” Raines said. “We’re expecting things to get much heavier Thursday and Friday, especially in the afternoons. We would just ask everyone to pack a little extra patience.”