F1 mass-gathering permit approved

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an application from the developers of the Formula One track for a mass-gathering permit.

Questions relating to plans for moving traffic in and out of the facility east of Austin came into play as commissioners considered the application.

The Circuit of the Americas will contract with Travis County agencies to provide law enforcement, traffic control, and emergency services including a STARFlight helicopter that will be on site.

One thousand portable restrooms along with a medical facility will also be a part of the track on race days.

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The county will still have to pay nearly $5.2 million in road improvements for Elroy Road and others leading to the track; however, Judge Sam Biscoe believes the investment will easily pay for itself.

The track will seat nearly 120,000 people but 250,000 are expected to make the trip to Austin for the opening weekend.

As a part of the presentation to commissioners, CoTA says about a third of the fans in attendance will be able to park at the track while the other two-thirds will park at Waterloo Park and the Travis County Expo Center. Shuttles will then take them to the track.

The Circuit of the Americas track is scheduled to be ready for its first U.S. Grand Prix race Nov. 16 to 18.