Closures, heavy traffic affect Phoenix streets on day of Trump’s visit
Feb 19, 2020, 2:55 PM | Updated: 5:30 pm
(KTAR News Photo/Tyler Bassett)
(KTAR News Photo/Tyler Bassett)
PHOENIX — Authorities and motorists braced for heavy traffic and intermittent freeway closures on the day of President Donald Trump’s first Phoenix visit of the campaign season.
Hours before Trump was expected to speak at Veterans Memorial Coliseum near 19th Avenue and McDowell Road, traffic around the venue was already backed up.
Attendees looking to get into the parking lots dealt with heavy traffic on 19th Avenue, Grand Avenue and Interstate 10 in Phoenix.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety reminded the public to plan ahead for extended traffic delays on city streets and highways near the venue.
Plan ahead if you’re attending events related to the President’s rally in Phoenix today! Our event page has an interactive map, event times, security & parking info: https://t.co/x0eII5wlLo
Also find info from @phoenixpolice & @PHXFire at https://t.co/lUcSOb0x8E pic.twitter.com/jae6rYud9b— Dept. Public Safety (@Arizona_DPS) February 19, 2020
At 3:30 p.m., parking at the venue was at capacity and overflow lots were quickly filling up, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.
By 5 p.m., all parking lots at the Fairgrounds were full and closed.
Rolling closures were expected on Valley freeways and city streets for Trump’s arrival at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and ensuing motorcade to the venue.
Trump, who was expected to arrive at the airport at about 5:50 p.m, was running 15 minutes behind schedule, sources told KTAR News 92.3 FM. The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
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Encanto Boulevard was already closed between 19th and 17th avenues for pedestrian traffic and a free speech zone.
Those who planned to use a rideshare service to get to the event had a designated drop-off zone on the northeast corner of 19th Avenue and McDowell Road.
Tune to KTAR News 92.3 FM Wednesday for Detour Dan’s traffic updates and live coverage of President Trump’s Phoenix rally.
Get the latest KTAR News 92.3 FM traffic alerts sent straight to your phone by texting “TRAFFIC” to 411923.
