Rock n’ Roll Marathon to hinder Valley traffic, change transit schedules
Jan 11, 2018, 4:52 AM
(Flickr/Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series)
(Flickr/Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series)
PHOENIX — The Rock n’ Roll Arizona Marathon is set to roll through the Valley this weekend, which means traffic in the area is expected to be — surprise! — snarled.
The marathon will halt traffic throughout downtown Phoenix and Tempe from Jan. 12 to Jan. 14 as runners across metro Phoenix gather to run a half-marathon, a full marathon or a 5K.
There are a series of road closures that will take place in the Valley, starting Friday and lasting through Sunday.
But for those who are looking to avoid driving in the area, there’s good news: Valley Metro will operate a Sunday schedule for its light rail, which means trains will run every 20 minutes and additional trains will be added at the start and finish of the races.
The light rail stations that are closest to the starting line for the full marathon are at Van Buren Street and Central Avenue and Van Buren Street and First Avenue, while the closest stop for the half marathon will be at University Drive and Rural Road.
The rail service will be suspended between Seventh Avenue and Camelback Road and Central Avenue and Camelback Road from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday to allow for runners to pass safely.
Service will continue through race crossings in Tempe, but there may be slight delays near the starting line of the full marathon after the race begins.
Several bus routes in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe will also be impacted by the race. Those routes are: 0, 1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 29, 30, 41, 44, 48, 50, 56, 60, 62, 70, 72, 81, Orbit Earth, Orbit Mars, Orbit Mercury, Orbit Venus, Scottsdale Neighborhood Trolley, Miller Road Trolley and Scottsdale Downtown Trolley.
