What to know about road closures, public safety plans for Taylor Swift weekend
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IMPD assistant chief Catherine Cummings shows off her friendship bracelet while detailing the city's Taylor Swift safety plan. Photo: Justin L. Mack/Axios
As Taylor Swift comes to town, Indianapolis police are looking to extend the city's streak of hosting big events without major public safety incidents.
Why it matters: As many as 175,000 people are expected downtown each night as Swift performs three sold-out shows this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium, and the total number of visitors coming to the Indy area is estimated to surpass 200,000.
- About 81% of the people poised to pack the stadium aren't from around here, meaning scores of Swift superfans unfamiliar with the Circle City will be trying to safely get from point A to point B.
What they're saying: It's a lot to handle, but IMPD assistant chief Catherine Cummings tells Axios she's confident that both the denizens of Downtown Indy and the department will make it work — just like they did for NBA All-Star weekend, the total solar eclipse and every other mega event Indy has hosted in 2024.
- "The only hiccup I think that we had was that during the All-Star Game, we had a snowstorm … and even that we were able to navigate," Cummings told Axios. "We've had a successful year of events because of the efforts of a lot of people."
Driving the news: Officials have solidified their plan to keep the streets safe for Swifties, starting with road closures near the stadium Friday through Monday.
- South Street will be largely inaccessible with closures that run from West to Delaware streets.
- Capitol Avenue will be shut down from Washington to Merrill streets.
- Washington Street will be out of commission between Illinois Street and Capitol Avenue; Maryland Street will be closed between West Street and Capitol Avenue; McCarty Street will be closed between West and Missouri streets.
- I-70 exits will be closed in both directions at West Street, eastbound at the Illinois and Meridian exit and westbound at the Meridian exit.
- Travel will be restricted to just one direction on parts of McCarty Street, Missouri Street, Georgia Street and Kentucky Avenue.
- A list of all the closures, restrictions and detours can be found at this link. A map can be found here.
The intrigue: All four spokes of Monument Circle will be closed this weekend, and SPARK on the Circle will feature a public art installation led by local artist Mary Jo Bayliss that you can contribute to before it goes on display Friday at noon.
- Residents can swing by SPARK Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3-7pm to make a pompom for "The Village."
Zoom in: Cummings said to expect an increased police presence with officers patrolling by car, foot, horseback, ATVs and drones.
- Parking restrictions will be strictly enforced and Cummings warns drivers to "not risk" it by leaving their car in an area that is marked "no parking." The enforcement will begin ahead of the closures.
- If your vehicle is towed, it will be taken to AutoReturn at 325 S. Post Rd.
- Tailgating and hanging out outside Lucas Oil during the show is also prohibited.
Fun fact: Some IMPD officers will be swapping bracelets — not the metal ones — with concertgoers this weekend.
- Thanks to some help from the students of Cathedral High School, a number of officers will be rocking friendship bracelets while they work.
- "Other police departments have done this (and) we think this is a great way to connect with our community and connect with the fans who are coming into town," Cummings said. "We have (officers) who are fans. We might even have some officers who are Swifties."
Be smart: For those who want to stay in the know, Marion County Emergency Management will roll out a mass text service for the event.
- Text "INDYEVENTALERTS" to 67283 to get real-time public safety updates.