Des Moines Shuts Down for Triathlon June 16 & 17
People in Des Moines and West Des Moines may have heard that a major sporting event called the Hy-Vee Triathlon will be run in the city on Sunday, June 17, with associated competitions and activities being held on Saturday, June 16. From past experience, I know that people who visit Des Moines on those days for reasons other than the race will have no idea about the road and other closings. Heck, even people who live here and don’t travel the same route every day, and only that route, will be shocked by the closings. Thus, I am offering this public alert.
Des Moines won’t really shut down for the triathlon, but at times it might seem that way. The information I have as to what will close and when it will be closed is very minimal. (Here is West Des Moines information.) I know the central library will be closed on June 17. The local buses will be re-routed and delayed at least part of June 16. The State Historical Building has information on its web site about parking when the streets around it are closed. Even the majority of Grand Street from around the state capitol into West Des Moines will be closed for four hours the morning of June 17. Triathlon races begin at Gray’s Lake, so expect early congestion around that area.
Non-triathlon events are still planned throughout the city. As far as I
know, the downtown farmers market will be open on June 16. Music Under The Stars kicks off June 17 at Roosevelt High School. Locally-owned stores and restaurants throughout the city would still appreciate your business. If you are out and about Des Moines, please drive, walk, run, bike, and swim safely and expect detours and delays.
Guest Author: M.R. Field is editor of Leading Voices: Iowa.
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4 responses so far ↓
1 anon // Jun 15, 2007 at 11:38 am
why are we shutting down the whole town for this? Isn’t there a better route that could have been planned that wouldnt make large parts of the city inaccessable?
2 Sandy Renshaw // Jun 16, 2007 at 8:01 am
According to the Des Moines Business Record Daily report, The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority and Hy-Vee Inc. will provide a free shuttle during the Hy-Vee Triathlon between Gray’s Lake and the capitol Complex. The shuttle will run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes on Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. The shuttle stop at Gray’s Lake will be on Fleur Drive near George Flagg Parkway. The stop at the Capitol Complex is on Des Moines Street at Pennsylvania Avenue.
3 M.R. Field // Jun 17, 2007 at 7:05 pm
While much of the city was not part of the triathlon events and traffic was not disrupted in those areas, there were times that people traveling along north-south roads could have encountered obstacles. I chose the exaggerated headline to catch people’s attention, although I could have put the disclaimer that the city wasn’t really shutting down in the first paragraph instead of the second.
4 Sandy Renshaw // Jun 17, 2007 at 7:24 pm
It’s a great title. I wouldn’t change a thing!
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