Plan details routes to F1 track

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A new transportation plan from the organizers of the F1 racing event shows how they plan to get 120,000 people in and out of the track Southeast of Austin without disrupting traffic throughout the city.

Circuit of the Americas turned the plan over to Austin and Travis County transportation officials July 29. They estimate the F1 race will draw 120,000 spectators and the majority, 90,000 of them, will arrive by car and park in on and off-site parking lots.

Another 25,000 people will arrive by shuttle, which is where local business owner Paul Arcediano hopes to cash in.

"It looks like they're going to book over 500 shuttles to bring people to and from all the events and if that's the case, transportation companies from all over the state are going to benefit from this," said Arcediano.  "I think it's going to be huge - and not just for my business- but for a lot of businesses in Austin."

The plan also called for several dedicated traffic routes including ones for shuttles and emergency vehicles. Organizers estimate 500 people will arrive at the track by bicycle and another 500 by helicopter.

Arcediano owns R and R Limousine and Bus and recently purchased 6.5 acres of land to relocate on U.S. 183 South of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. He hopes the location will help him capitalize on the business of F1.

"I don't think many people in Austin really understand the huge impact that this is going to have economically on their business," said Arcediano.

Early estimates in the plan also show some people could be waiting to get out of the track up to 3.5 hours after a race is over.

The plan is not the final word on traffic at the track and must still be reviewed and approved by city and county transportation officials.