FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2018
PARKING
Contact: Justin Clay
Parking Manager
Parking Management Division
479-575-8277
jclay@fayetteville-ar.gov
ROAD CLOSURES / TRAFFIC
Contact: Sgt. Anthony Murphy
Fayetteville Police Department
479-587-3580
amurphy@fayetteville-ar.gov
2018 Bike Blues and BBQ Information from City of Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— To better inform Fayetteville citizens, business owners, and visitors during the 2018 Bike Blues and BBQ motorcycle rally – the City of Fayetteville has created documents with comprehensive information about road closures and parking around Dickson Street and the Downtown Square. This information can be found at www.fayetteville-ar.gov/bbbq and in this media release.
Traffic and pedestrian safety evaluations determine when the Fayetteville Police Department restricts traffic or closes roadways. W. Dickson Street (St. Charles to Gregg) and West Avenue (Spring to Watson) will close to car traffic daily. Only motorcycles will be allowed through a specially-sized barricade. The times roads are closed to cars:
- Wednesday, September 26 and Thursday, September 27; starting at 4 p.m.
- Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 29; starting at 9 a.m.
The police department will reopen the roadways to all vehicles after event traffic calms. All street closures are subject to change if circumstances dictate.
A new safety precaution has been added this year. Several streets connecting to W. Dickson Street are closed to thru traffic for both motorcycles and cars. These streets are narrow and cannot accommodate turn-around traffic. Additionally, access to Dickson Street from these roads will be blocked with a physical barricade. Only pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to enter and exit from the following roads: N. Church Avenue, N. Locust Avenue, N. Shipley Alley, Thompson Avenue, Rollston Avenue, and Campbell Avenue.
Municipal parking (streets, lots, deck) is FREE in the Dickson Street Entertainment District from Wednesday, September 26 through Saturday, September 29; HOWEVER, there are some restrictions. Parking regulations will be enforced for permitted on-street residential parking, surface lots that are managed but not owned by the City, and event parking. The Fayetteville Police Department will address other parking issues such as handicap parking; blocking driveways and mailboxes; and parking on sidewalks.
No road closures are planned for the Baum Stadium area – the University of Arkansas Police Department will dictate those closures if needed.
The Parade of Power motorcycle parade begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 29. The route is from the Washington County Fairgrounds – east on Drake, south on Gregg, east on Township, south on College, west on Dickson. Police will be stationed at intersections to let motorcycles pass through in parade formation. Officers will leave intersections as the parade riders diminish and traffic lights will return to normal.
All persons are reminded to be aware of increased vehicle traffic, motorcyclists, and pedestrians in Fayetteville and the region during the event. Only certified service animals are allowed at the event in the Dickson Street area. Per Fayetteville Code 92.32, no other animals, reptiles, or pets are allowed; officers will request people with uncertified animals to leave the event area.
Please see the attached flyer or view online:
Dickson Street Area Traffic Map with Road Closures (PDF)
Road Closures and Parking and Road Closure Info (PDF)
To learn more about Bikes Blues and BBQ event locations and schedules, please visit the motorcycle rally website.
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