Art lovers and city dwellers alike, prepare for some inconvenience on your commutes as downtown gears up for the annual Festival of the Arts. According to the City of Oklahoma City's official announcement, the streets around Bicentennial Park will be out of commission for a good chunk of April, specifically starting on Monday, April 11, through May 5.
The festival will run from April 24 to 27, but expect traffic disruptions before and after as preparations and take-downs take place. Road closures will affect Walker Avenue, Lee Avenue, Colcord Drive, and Couch Drive, with parking near Bicentennial Park also restricted.
As part of the festival setup, the City of Oklahoma City's official news release confirms that several streets will be closed. Northbound lanes on Walker, from Colcord to Robert S. Kerr, and southbound lanes toward Main Street will be shut down. Lee Avenue, from Main Street to Couch Drive, and Colcord’s eastbound stretch from Shartel to Walker will also be closed. It’s all part of the price of hosting cultural festivities.
Despite the expected traffic disruptions, the City assures that access to City Hall and the Arts District Garage will remain available, though it may require a bit of extra navigation. For those on foot, pedestrian pathways to the Park and Music Hall will stay open. A complete list of street closures, along with a helpful rerouting map, can be found on the City's website.
