Bring on Lollapalooza's 20th anniversary and sixth year in Chicago. And bring on the road closures.
Similar to years past, a stretch of Columbus Drive closes for the three-day music festival founded by Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell.
Columbus between Roosevelt and Monroe, and Congress Parkway between Columbus and Michigan Avenue will be closed until noon on Monday. Also shut down are Jackson and Balbo drives from Columbus to Michigan.
The following buses will be rerouted from 6:30 p.m. Thursday until noon Monday: #2 Hyde Park, #6 Jackson Park Express, #10 Museum of Science & Industry, #14 Jeffery Express, #26 South Shore Express and #X28 Stony Island Express.
The CTA is increasing service to the #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express bus route from 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m. on Friday.
The 130-act festival, beginning Friday, sold out last month and is expected to attract record numbers.
Buckingham Fountain also will have abbreviated hours, according to the Chicago Park District. The fountain will be accessible for visitors without Lolla tickets between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday. Typically it's open between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
"We would like to thank our patrons for their patience with these adjustments during the Festival,” said interim Park District Superintendent and CEO Mike Kelly. “Long after the music stops, the Festival serves as a revenue source during tough economic times by giving back millions of dollars to our neighborhood parks.”
Lollapalooza raised more than $8.2 million for Chicago’s parks since 2005, Kelly said.
