Taste of Chicago 2014 street closures

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Taste of Chicago 2014, the annual food and music event held in Grant Park, begins on Wednesday, July 9, and brings with it a host of street closures in downtown Chicago around Grant Park. Some of those closures are already in place, and will last through Monday, July 14.

The following streets will be closed through Monday, July 14:
• Columbus, from Monroe to Balbo and from Balbo to Roosevelt (Balbo will remain open to traffic)
• Jackson, from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive
• Congress, from Columbus to Congress Parkway semi-circle

Parking restrictions will be in effect throughout the area. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) says drivers should expect traffic delays for the duration of the festival and should seek alternate routes to avoid the Grant Park area. Lake Shore Drive on the East and State Street on the West are the recommendations to get around the Columbus Drive closure.

Drivers should pay close attention to parking signs. Public parking is available at the Millennium Garage, with the entrance on Columbus.

Taste of Chicago attendees are strongly encouraged to use public transportation. Public transit options and added service for the Taste can be found at www.transitchicago.com.

Visit tasteofchicago.us for more information about this year's Taste, including participating restaurants and musical performances.