Carbondale police warn of Lights Fantastic Parade traffic detours | News

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - The City of Carbondale Police Department says the Lights Fantastic Parade, scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Saturday, December 1, will require traffic in Carbondale to be detoured.

The parade route begins at the intersection of Illinois Avenue and Mill Street. The parade proceeds north on Illinois Avenue to Jackson Street, turns east on Jackson Street to Washington Street, then turns south on Washington Street, ending south of East Main Street. Police say no parking will be permitted on the parade route after 3 p.m. Starting at 5 p.m. the Police Department will conduct relocation tows of vehicles still on the parade route.

The parade staging area is scheduled to close at 3 p.m.

According to police, the parade units will assemble and stage on East Mill Street between South Illinois Avenue and South Wall Street, on South Washington Street from East College Street to East Grand Avenue, and on South Marion Street from the Public Safety Center entrance to East Mill Street. The City parking lot along South Washington Street and the SIU parking lot on East Mill Street will also be used.

The following traffic plan will begin at 5 p.m.

Westbound traffic on Illinois Route 13 (East Main Street) en route to:

• US Highway 51 (northbound) - Traffic will be detoured north onto North Wall Street, west onto East Oak Street, and then north onto US Highway 51 (North Illinois Avenue).
• US Highway 51 (southbound) - Traffic will be detoured south onto North Giant City Road, west onto East Grand Avenue, and then south onto US Highway 51 (South Illinois Avenue).
• Route 13 (westbound) - Traffic will be detoured south onto North Giant City Road, west onto East Grand Avenue, north onto US Highway 51, west onto West Mill Street, north onto South Poplar Street, and then westbound onto Illinois Route 13 (West Main Street)

Eastbound traffic on Illinois Route 13 (West Walnut Street) en route to:

• US Highway 51 (northbound) - Traffic will be detoured south onto South University Avenue, east onto East Grand Avenue, north onto North Wall Street, west onto East Oak Street, and then north onto US Highway 51 (North Illinois Avenue). Motorists on West Main can elect to turn northbound from Illinois Route 13 onto West Sycamore (by Foaming Brush Carwash), then northbound onto North Oakland Street, eastbound onto West Willow street and north onto U.S. 51.
• US Highway 51 (southbound) - No detours. Southbound University Avenue will remain open to traffic, but will be slowed in the area between Freeman Street and Grand Avenue.
• Route 13 (eastbound) - Traffic will be detoured south onto South University Avenue, east onto East Grand Avenue, north onto South Giant City Road, and then back onto Illinois Route 13 (East Main Street).

Southbound traffic on U.S. Highway 51 (North Illinois Avenue) en route to:

• US Highway 51 (southbound) - No detours. Southbound University Avenue will remain open to traffic, but will be slowed in the area between Freeman Street and Grand Avenue.
• Illinois Route 13 (eastbound) - Traffic will be detoured south on South University Avenue, east onto East Grand Avenue, north onto South Giant City Road and then east onto Illinois Route 13 (East Main Street).
• Route 13 (westbound) - No detour.

Northbound traffic on U.S. Highway 51 en route to:

• U.S. Highway 51 (northbound.) - Traffic will be detoured east onto East Grand Avenue, north onto South Wall Street, west onto East Oak Street, and then north onto US Highway 51 (North Illinois Avenue).
• Route 13 (westbound) - Traffic will be detoured west onto West Mill Street, north onto South Poplar, and then west onto Illinois Route 13 (West Main Street).
• Route 13 (eastbound) - Traffic will be detoured east onto East Grand Avenue., north onto South Giant City Road, and then east onto Illinois Route 13 (East Main Street).

Police say traffic control signs will be posted marking all detour routes.

There is a limited amount of parking space available in the vicinity of the parade route. The Police Department suggests visitors park at the University Mall parking lot and the Murdale Shopping Center. Shuttle bus service will be provided at these locations, to and from the parade route. Handicapped parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

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