Metro Transit to extend service after Taylor Swift shows; Minneapolis warns "plan ahead" amid Pride events
MINNEAPOLIS – Swifities and Pride-goers are rejoicing after more late-night public transportation options were made available this weekend in downtown Minneapolis.
Metro Transit announced Monday that more "light rail and/or bus service will be provided" this upcoming Friday and Saturday nights after Taylor Swift's U.S. Bank Stadium concerts.
WCCO reported last week on how Swift fans were furious that Metro Transit wasn't planning on extending service. At the time, Metro Transit said that with only 85 operators on staff, they are barely able to keep up as it is with the existing light rail schedule.
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Metro Transit says several bus routes already leave downtown Minneapolis after 1 a.m., and the METRO Blue Line has northbound trains that run after midnight, which also provide access to the ABC Ramps by Target Field.
Meet Minneapolis says between the Swift concerts, Twin Cities Pride, and the Kiwanis International Convention, 500,000 people will be packed inside downtown this weekend.
Beyond that, there are also a number of street closures that those attending any of the above should be aware of:
- Pride parade and run: From 7 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. Sunday, Hennepin Avenue is closed from Washington Avenue to 16th Street for the Rainbow Run 5K My Way and the Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March.
- Block party: From 9 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday, Ninth Street between Hennepin and Hawthorne avenues will be closed for the Pride Block Party at the Saloon.
- Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour: For each concert at U.S. Bank Stadium:
- Chicago Avenue between Fourth and Sixth streets is closed from 11 a.m. until an hour after the concert ends.
- Fourth Street is closed between Park Avenue and Norm McGrew Place from 2:30 p.m. until an hour after the concert ends.
- Warehouse District Live – For this weekend and all weekends throughout the summer, one block of First Avenue, from Fifth Street to Sixth Street, is closed to motor vehicles beginning at 9 a.m. Fridays to create additional space for foot traffic, food trucks and portable restrooms. The block reopens to traffic by 10 a.m. Sundays.
Meet Minneapolis also informed that the following closures are ongoing, and related to other MnDOT projects: the Third Avenue Bridge over the Mississippi River; the Plymouth Avenue bridge over Interstate 94; the Interstate 394 ramp to Washington Ave and Third Avenue; and the southbound Interstate 35W closure in Bloomington.
As for parking, the city reminded that many of the on-street parking spaces in the vicinity of U.S. Bank Stadium are at event rates of $5 per hour Friday and Saturday night, and maximum parking times will be enforced. The city also said there are plenty of spaces at the following lots during the weekend's events:
- Near U.S. Bank Stadium
- Mill Quarter ramp, 711 S. Second St.: $40 event rate Friday and Saturday
- Riverfront ramp, 212 Ninth Ave. S.: $40 event rate Friday and Saturday
- Jerry Haaf ramp, 424 Fourth St. S.: $40 event rate Friday and Saturday
- Near Target Field/Target Center
- Hawthorne Transportation Center ramp, 31 N. Ninth St.: $16
- Ramp A, 101 N. Ninth St.: $16
- Ramp B, 516 2nd Ave. N.: $16
- Ramp C, 318 2nd Ave. N.: $16
- Near the parade on Hennepin Avenue
- Hennepin at 10th ramp, 935 Hennepin Ave.: $14
- LaSalle at 10th ramp, 915 LaSalle Ave.: hourly rates
- Near the Minneapolis Convention Center
- 11th at Marquette (Orchestra Hall) ramp, 1111 Marquette Ave.: $11
- Leamington ramp, 1001 2nd Ave. S.: $10
- 11th Street Underground (Hilton) ramp, 1030 2nd Ave. S.: $9
- Plaza ramp, 117 South 12th Street: hourly rates
- Near Loring Park
- Vinland ramp, 727 Vineland Place: $10
There will also be a number of traffic control agents helping direct traffic during peak times.