Track athletes, spectators in town for Texas Relays

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- Visitors out for the festivities surrounding the Texas Relays are taking over Central Austin this weekend.

The event draws some of the nation's best track and field athletes to Austin. It also brings major congestion around Sixth Street and Highland Mall.

Officers with the Austin Police Department said they have learned a few lessons over the years in trying to control the crowds for the sporting event.

This year they sent out brochures that showed out-of-towners and those hosting them that there are other attractions in Austin besides Sixth Street and the mall.

"The biggest concern that we have is traffic," said Assistant Police Chief Sam Holt.

Traffic is expected to be a nightmare around downtown, Interstate 35 and the 290 interchange.

The brochure said there are also other places to shop in addition to Highland Mall.

With tens of thousands of people visiting Austin, officers said there will be a big need for crowd control.

"What we're trying to do is educate them to the point that there's other venues out there besides Sixth Street where your going to have a great time," Holt said.

The brochure also includes basic emergency numbers, rules on drinking and traffic safety tips.

Roads will be closed at 7 p.m. Friday along 6th Street, between Brazos Street and I-35, and also at southbound exit ramps from Cesar Chavez to 12th streets. Get more information on downtown area road closures .

Many people will pack the stands at Mike A. Myers Stadium during the day. At night, the sporting event has become infamous for creating a party scene dubbed "black Mardi Gras." The Texas Relays Web site has more than 30 parties listed, attracting everyone to Downtown Austin.

For those who are not the partying type, police said Highland Mall seems to be the typical choice.

"We'll have some people concentrated downtown, we'll also be around the mall areas too, especially the Highland Mall area," Holt said 

Police said they expect the street closures on Sixth Street and along I-35 to last until early Sunday morning.