Obama at Invesco could make Broncos traffic look tame
By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published July 8, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Barack Obama's plans for a show-stopping acceptance speech at Invesco Field might turn into a traffic-stopping moment for commuters and travelers on the closing night of the Democratic National Convention.
Convention planners don't intend to announce their strategy for street and transit closures, delays or detours until next week. But the last-minute switch to another venue - even though less than two-thirds of a mile away - raises logistical issues over security and mobility.
And given that the convention's evening sessions are scheduled during the afternoon rush hour - 4 to 7 p.m. - the potential exists to hogtie crucial roadways.
In the end, getting 76,000 people in and out of Invesco Field on Obama's big night may be only slightly more aggravating for the commuter than getting around the traffic from a Denver Broncos Monday Night Football game.
In those situations, RTD typically beefs up light-rail service on the Central Platte Valley spur to Union Station, where C and E lines run. The spur serves all three major downtown sports stadiums.
"This could be similar to a Monday Night Football game, but there are a lot of details to be worked out first," said RTD spokesman Scott Reed.
As with Monday Night Football, extra service couldn't be as substantial as for a Sunday game because most light rail is handling the weekday rush hour.
flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5247
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July 8, 2008
6:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
squeakywheel writes:
This is a good example of yet another non-story to have an excuse to put Obama's name in a headline.
It's not news, it pure speculation. In fact, it doesn't even measure up to speculation. The traffic might make Broncos traffic look tame... but then again it might only be slightly more aggravating. When did jounalism become prognisication?
THIS JUST IN: I might vote for CBCHCOC (Change Barack Change Hussein Change Obama Change) but then again, I find him only slightly more aggravating than John McCain.
July 8, 2008
11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
AC writes:
squeakywheel, stop all the whining and get a grip. Clueing people in about how traffic and getting around might work that night is legit.
All you whiners make me laugh.
July 8, 2008
1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
... and for this reason I'm going to avoid Denver like the plague during the democrat's love fest.
Scott