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Navigating Cleveland’s Busy Weekend: Road Closures, Parking Plans, and Scam Prevention

Posted in Accident & Injury, Community Outreach, Health & Wellness, In the news on April 5, 2024

Anticipation is building this weekend in Cleveland as visitors arrive to witness a rare celestial event, attend the Guardians’ home opener, and enjoy the NCAA Final Four. Due to the expected increase in crowds, some road closures and parking bans have been put in place.

Road Closures and Parking Bans for April 8

Downtown Road Closures:

  • Westbound ramps to Ohio 2/the Shoreway will be closed at the I-90 split east of downtown. (Note: All other ramps onto the Shoreway will remain open in both directions.)
  • Alfred Lerner Way and Erieside Avenue, encompassing much of the roadway surrounding Cleveland Browns Stadium, will be closed from West 3rd Street to East 9th Street. (Please note that access to the Great Lakes Science Center garage will still be available from West 3rd.)
  • East 9th Street north of Erieside Avenue will be closed. Additionally, both sides of East 9th between Erieside and the cul-de-sac will be off-limits, as it serves as a designated space for food trucks.

Downtown No Parking/No Stopping Zones:

  • St. Clair and Lakeside avenues, spanning from West 9th Street to East 9th Street.
  • West 3rd, West 6th, and West 9th (north of Superior Avenue).
  • Huron Road and Prospect Avenue, extending from west of East 9th to Ontario Street.

No Parking/No Stopping Zones Outside of Downtown:

  • West 25th Street, between the Shoreway and Lorain Avenue.
  • West 25th Street, between Clark Avenue and I-71.
  • Euclid Avenue, between Chester Avenue and Mayfield Road.

Maps of Closures

Click to Enlarge

Public Parking Options:

  1. Cleveland Municipal Lot: Located at 1500 South Marginal Road, this lot will open at 5 a.m. Parking is available for $50 per space. Please note that once your vehicle is parked, it must remain in the lot for the duration of the event.
  2. Willard Garage and City Hall Surface Lot: Situated at 601 Lakeside Ave, this parking facility will open at 5 a.m. Overnight parking is not permitted, and the parking rate is $60 per vehicle.
  3. Canal Parking Lot: Found at 1519 Merwin Ave, this lot opens at 12:01 a.m. Parking is available for $50 per space, and payment can be made on-site at one of the two pay stations. Port-o-johns and trash cans will be provided for convenience.

Pick Up an All-Day RTA Pass:

The Greater Cleveland RTA offers an extensive network of rail and bus services, ensuring seamless connections throughout the city. This makes reaching key eclipse viewing spots more accessible than ever before. From April 6th to April 8th, the Waterfront Line will be fully operational from 9:30 am to 5:27 pm. This service provides direct access from Tower City to North Coast Harbor.

Game Ticket and Parking Scams

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about ticket scams that target unsuspecting spectators. The Women’s Final Four games have seen ticket prices skyrocket to over $1,100, making it important to be cautious and avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes.

To stay informed and protected, here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Be Vigilant: With thousands of visitors expected to flock to Cleveland for these events, scammers are likely to take advantage of the heightened demand.
  • Plan Ahead: Proactive planning and thorough research are essential to avoiding scams. Take the time to consider your options and make informed decisions.
  • Price Check: If a ticket price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Unusually low prices should raise red flags and prompt further investigation.
  • Purchase from Reputable Sources: Buy tickets directly from the venue or accredited resellers whenever possible. Verify the seller’s credentials on BBB.org to ensure legitimacy.
  • Understand Refund Policies: Familiarize yourself with the event’s refund policies to mitigate potential losses in case of fraudulent transactions.
  • Use Secure Payment Methods: Opt for payment methods that offer buyer protections, such as credit cards with fraud liability coverage.
  • Beware of False Advertisements: Remain vigilant against deceptive advertisements and offers that seem too good to be true.
  • Parking Scams: Scammers may attempt to exploit the demand for parking during events like the solar eclipse. Exercise caution when renting parking spaces from unfamiliar sources.

If you encounter a scam or suspect fraudulent activity, report it to the BBB here.