Fan Fest downtown road closures begin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Start  your engines! And plan on some traffic delays in Downtown Austin.

Meanwhile, Austin City Manager Marc Ott will activate the Area Command at the Operations Center to operate from 5:30 a.m. Friday through 10 p.m. Monday.

For people who live and work downtown, they're trying to avoid the madness at all costs. Some businesses are even going above and beyond to make sure employees avoid the stress.

"We may look into the option of letting people work from home on Friday if it’s going to relieve congestion and relieve stress," said Eric Webber, an employee at McGarrah Jessee advertising firm downtown.

Road closures for Austin Fan Fest events that are all in conjunction with the Formula One race start Wednesday. The closures expand over the next several days.

Wednesday at  6 a.m.:

• Fourth Street between Colorado Street and Congress Avenue
• Third Street between Colorado Street and Congress Avenue
• Alleyway off Fifth Street

Thursday at 6 a.m.:

• West Third and West Fourth streets between Colorado and Lavaca streets
• East Third and East Fourth streets between Congress Avenue and Brazos Street
• Colorado Street between Second and Fifth streets

Thursday at  7 p.m.:  

• Southbound lanes of Congress Avenue between Fifth and Secnd     (closure will extend to Cesar Chavez Street Friday evening. The northbound lanes of Congress Avenue will also close Friday)

Friday at 6 a.m.:  

• One lane of Trinity Street between 12th and 15th streets
• One westbound lane of East 12th Street between Red River and Trinity streets

While some offices are letting employees off the hook to avoid the headaches, others will still have to work Saturday.

"I plan on not driving through it," said Andrea Mansoor, who works at the W Hotel dowtown. "I’m staying at a friend’s house  to try to bike here or get rides here or something. I know it’s going to be crazy and not good for people that are trying to get to work," said Mansoor. 

The road closures are in place through Monday. Some sections open as early as 6 a.m. Monday. Others open by 6 p.m. The last to re-open will be at midnight Tuesday.