Update: Garth Brooks Concert Traffic Plan

DEM Blogger

October 31, 2014

Downtown Lexington is about to become a country music, Halloween, good times, gathering place. In light of all of this activity, Lexington Division of Police officers are reminding citizens to be aware of a substantial traffic impact due to the Garth Brooks concerts Friday and Saturday at Rupp Arena. Traffic updates will be posted on Twitter via @LexWrecks and @lexkypolice using #garthbrookslexington.

Here are some reminders for those who are coming downtown for the concerts:

1. Be patient.
2. Leave extra travel time.
3. Follow the rules of the road.
4. Don’t drink and drive.

For patrons attending the Garth Brooks Concerts at Rupp Arena

The following routes are recommended to avoid as much traffic congestion as possible. **Special Note**: 10:30 p.m. concert attendees should consider following alternate directions, once in town. Your parking setup is different than 6:30 concert attendees.

Here’s a map from Lexpark on where to park.

Coming From the West (Frankfort/Louisville)
Take Versailles Rd. North and turn left into the Lexington Center parking lot at Gate 3.

Coming from the North (I-64 or I-75)
From I-64/I-75, take the Newtown Pike Exit (Exit 115). Continue straight on Oliver Lewis Way and turn left into the Manchester Street parking lot.

Coming from the North (Hwy 27 or 68)
Continue toward town and turn west on New Circle Road (Highway 4). From New Circle, take the Newtown Pike Exit toward Lexington (Exit 9A). Continue straight on Oliver Lewis Way and turn left into the Manchester Street parking lot.

Coming from the South (Hwy 27 or 68)
Turn north/west on New Circle Road (Hwy 4) and take the Versailles Road/US-60 Exit toward Lexington (Exit 5A). Turn right and follow Versailles Road into downtown and enter the Lexington Center parking lot at Gate 3.

Coming from the South (I-75)
Traveling from the south, take Exit 104 toward Lexington/Athens. Turn left onto Athens Boonesboro Road, which will turn into Richmond Road and then Main Street. Once downtown, turn left on Broadway and right on High Street to enter Lexington Center parking lot at Gate 1 or 2. Motorists may also continue to I-75 Exit 115 (Newtown Pike). From Newtown Pike, motorists should continue straight on Oliver Lewis Way and turn left into the Manchester Street parking lot.

Coming from the East (I-64 or US 60)
Merge onto I-75 North and take Exit 115 (Newtown Pike). From Newtown Pike, motorists should continue straight on Oliver Lewis Way and turn left into the Manchester Street parking lot.

***Special for 10:30 p.m. Concert Attendees***

IMPORTANT: There is a FREEZE warning tonight for Lexington.  It will be in the low to mid 30’s after sunset.  Expect that you will be waiting outside for shuttle buses and entrance to Rupp Arena for the 10:30pm concert.  Due to crowd management  and arena cleaning, last night’s concert DID NOT START UNTIL 11:15PM.  Please dress appropriately for freezing weather if you are attending the late concert.

Special Parking for 10:30pm show: Once in Lexington, head toward New Circle Road. Take Old Frankfort Pike (exit 6 off New Circle Road). Off-site parking will be available at 1795 Old Frankfort for all patrons attending the 10:30 p.m. show. This parking option will open at 7:00p.m. These lots will be supervised by trained parking attendants. LexTran will provide a dedicated shuttle service to and from these lots to the rear of Rupp Arena.

Here’s a map showing where this temporary parking lot is located.

There are plenty of restaurants in the downtown Lexington area, so please come early for the concert, have dinner and enjoy the shows.  Friday’s night’s concerts were reported to be excellent.

Here’s the review from the Lexington Herald-Leader