What you need to know about getting around Super Bowl week
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- With Super Bowl LI just over a week away, it's going to get really busy here in Houston. Here online and on our ABC13 app, we've got several resources for you to get around our city during Super Bowl, but you're still going to need the Super Bowl 51 app and website to make getting around a little easier.
There are already street closures around downtown, and even more on the way. Here's what you can expect starting Thursday, January 26th through February 6th.
- Polk Street between Austin and LaBranch
- Dallas Street between Austin and LaBranch
- LaBranch Street between Walker and Bell
The following roads will be closed around Discovery Green:
- Avenida De Las Americas
- McKinney Street
- Lamar Street
The Super Bowl LI app and website have a transportation section that includes how to Uber, take a taxi, use METRO and drive to downtown Houston.
"What we're advising people to do in all cases if they have to drive is to park on the west side of town," said Margaret O'Brien-Nelson with METRO Houston.
Under the 'Driving' tab on the app, there's a link to the Super Bowl website, where travelers can purchase pre-paid parking in garages on the west side. You choose your parking lot location, pay and go.
It's generally easier to find a parking lot and pay in advance, because you will have an address and parking spot already reserved.
After parking, you have to get from the west side of Downtown to the east side near Discovery Green and Super Bowl Live.
METRO volunteers will be handing out maps throughout Downtown that show the Circulator routes and stops, and this map is available online.
All Circulator stops will be marked by a flag starting Saturday, and Circulators operated by Green Link and METRO will run every seven to ten minutes through Downtown. The shuttles will be labeled as Green and Orange Links. The Houston Wave will operate a Silver Link from Midtown to Downtown.
"Circulators Downtown -- which is basically a shuttle going all through the Downtown area -- are all free," explained O'Brien-Nelson.
The Galleria shuttle is a Pink Line operated by METRO, but it won't start operating until February 1st. The Galleria Blue shuttle will take fans to NRG on game day .
Don't' forget to take the METRO buses and rails. On the Ride METRO app and online, you can purchase your METRO passes. There will be a $3 day pass, and METRO will offer free service on Jan. 30th through Feb. 1 courtesy of Reliant.
"Download the app, get your mobile ticketing and use it," added O'Brien-Nelson.
Finally, the Super Bowl LI Committee encourages all Houstonians to check out Super Bowl Live this weekend to avoid the out-of-town crowds next weekend. Also, the closures near Downtown will add to traffic congestion, especially in the eveningsIf you can arrange your schedule to work from home or leave work early, it will help to avoid the traffic nightmare.
