A stretch of a major thoroughfare running through downtown Orlando will be closed much earlier than city officials previously announced as event crews work to prepare the streets for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and Marathon.
On Thursday, city of Orlando officials announced that Rosalind Avenue, between Central Boulevard and Robinson Street, will be fully closed beginning Friday, February 2 at 12 p.m. That stretch of roadway will remain closed through Sunday, February 4 at 10 a.m.
Originally, city officials had reported that the stretch of highway would not be closed until 5 a.m. on Saturday and that it would reopen less than 12 hours later at 4 p.m. on the same day.
According to a statement issued by the city, the event needs “require a full closure sooner and longer than anticipated.”
As of Thursday afternoon, traffic was down to one lane on the roadway, which runs adjacent to Lake Eola Park.
Multiple thoroughfares will be closed throughout downtown on Saturday as part of the race trials, which will see athletes compete to fill spots for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The course runs through downtown Orlando and its surrounding neighborhoods and consists of one 2.2-mile loop and three 8-mile loops. The start line is on Rosalind Avenue, near Amelia Street. The finish line is on Rosalind Avenue near Washington Street at Lake Eola.
For the 2.2-mile race loop, roadways will be fully closed from 5 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Saturday. For the 8-mile race loop, roadways will be fully closed from 5 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The city has divided the course map into 10 zones and three different levels relative to the location of residences and businesses along the impacted roadways. Levels are as follows:
- Level 1 Designation: The business or residence is along the marathon route and road closures will restrict all vehicular access to the location during designated event hours.
- Level 2 Designation: The business or residence is along the marathon route and at least one of the vehicular access points to the location will be affected by road closures. However, vehicles will be able to access the business or residence through an access point not along the route.
- Level 3 Designation: There may be delays and detours impacting vehicular access to the location, however, vehicular, and pedestrian access to the location during the event will be maintained.
Although State Road 408 will remain open throughout the event, all downtown exits and entrances from Lake Underhill Road to Orange Avenue in both directions will be closed from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
To detour, motorists are advised to use Exit 10A, I-4 West to Michigan Avenue or Exit 13, South Conway Road.Â
All pedestrian crossings along the race course will be open until 9 a.m. Beginning at 9 a.m., all pedestrian traffic will be limited to the dedicated pedestrian crossings listed below:
- South Street and Orange Avenue
- South Street and Rosalind Avenue
- Summerlin Avenue and Anderson Street
- Summerlin Avenue and South Street
- Mills Avenue and Anderson Street
- Mills Avenue and South Street
- Bumby Avenue and Anderson Street
- Bumby Avenue and South Street
- Bumby Avenue and Livingston Street
- Bumby Avenue and Robinson Avenue
- Robinson Street from Orange Avenue to Rosalind Avenue will reopen for pedestrian traffic at 10:30 a.m.
After the race, pedestrian crossings are expected to reopen at approximately 2 p.m., according to race officials.
The city has established a website for Olympic Road Closures, an email address, and a hotline (407-385-1511) for residents and businesses to report specific impacts or to ask any questions related to the event.
The event is expected to draw more than 60,000 spectators, according to officials. The race will be televised on NBC and Peacock.