LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Planning for a big event like the Kentucky Derby is no small task. 

On the morning of 502's Day, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg along with officials from police, fire and Churchill Downs announced how the city is putting safety first, as it welcomes the world. 

"What other city in the world not only has an event like the Kentucky Derby every year -- you know a true Super Bowl-like event -- if not even larger with the number of people," Greenberg said. "But they do that three days in a row. And if you think that's hard, our community, we start with Thunder Over Louisville where we welcome hundreds of thousands of people and we don't rest for the two weeks in between. Nearly every day we have another amazing event, often times with tens of thousands of people participating. I can't think of any other place in the world that does this year after year after year."

Josh Ball, the senior director of security, safety and first aid at Churchill Downs said the Department of Homeland Security rated Thurby, the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby as a level 2 SEAR, which is stands for Special Event Assessment Rating. That means there is a federal coordination team and resources to support state and local officials. 

"There will be hundreds of resources from the federal government, state level and local law enforcement, but also our emergency management, fire, EMS, and other services," Ball said.

He explained that the planning process for Derby 150 started before last year's race.

"... that really it takes thousands of people to make this happen to provide this safe and secure environment," he said.

Louisville Fire will also be on hand at Churchill Downs, along with equipment crews might need. 

"If you image something taller than the tallest skyscraper that we have in downtown Louisville laid on its side, that's Churchill Downs," said Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill. "So that is what we are there to protect. And when you're talking about crowds of about 150,000 people that are trying to exit an area, we would never be able to get resources in there. So everything has to be in place. All of our fire apparatus, our hoses, our equipment, our appliances and everything are there. So if you're at the track, you may see several firefighters there, that's precisely what they're there for is to be in place in case of an emergency but also to watch for additional hazards."

Hundreds of thousands of people will visit Churchill Downs this week.

O'Neill said all city fire stations will remain staffed and in addition, beginning Thursday for Thurby, there's also a full-time fire crew on the Backside at Churchill Downs.

Parking/Traffic:

Police will also be directing traffic this week around Churchill Downs. For anyone planning to head to the track, it is best to plan in advance for parking options. There's a website, KentuckyDerbyParking.com, set up by Churchill Downs to explain how things work each day for Derby week.

Louisville Metro Police posted its interstate and street closures and no parking zones for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.

Closures and restrictions start as early as Wednesday, May 1 and run as late as 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 4. 

Here's the list of street closures:

Wednesday, May 1 - Saturday, May 4

  • 4th Street from Heywood Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
  • Oakdale Avenue from 4th Street to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate

Streets closed from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (May 1-4) 

  • Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Floyd Street
  • 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Central Station
  • 9th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • North Alley of Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
  • Burton Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
  • Lillian Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
  • Rodman Street from Central Avenue to Lillian Avenue
  • 6th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • 5th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • 4th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Brook Street
  • Oakdale Avenue from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to alley at CD Backside Gate
  • West Alley (south of Brown Lot) from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to 4th Street
  • 4th Street from West Alley to Longfield Avenue
  • Longfield Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 4th Street
  • Queen Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
  • Thornberry Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
  • Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
  • Racine Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
  • Wizard Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
  • Warren Avenue from Thornberry Avenue to Homeview Drive

Interstate Ramp Closures: 

  • Thursday, May 2:
    • 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 
      • I-264 West exit ramp at 3rd Street/Southern Parkway
      • I-264 East exit ramp at Southern Parkway
      • I-264 West exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
      • I-264 East exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
    • 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
      • I-65 South exit ramp at Crittenden Drive
  • Friday, May 3:
    • 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.
      • I-264 West exit ramp at 3rd Street/Southern Parkway
      • I-264 East exit ramp at Southern Parkway
      • I-264 West exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
      • I-264 East exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
    • 8 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
      • I-65 South exit ramp at Crittenden Drive
  • Saturday, May 4:
    • 5:30 - 10:30 p.m.
      • I-264 West exit ramp at 3rd Street/Southern Parkway
      • I-264 East exit ramp at Southern Parkway
      • I-264 West exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
      • I-264 East exit ramp at Taylor Boulevard
    • 8 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
      • I-65 South exit ramp at Crittenden Drive

Here's the list of no parking zones:

Wednesday, May 1 - Saturday, May 4

  • 4th Street from Heywood Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
  • Oakdale Avenue from 4th Street to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
  • 3rd Street from Brook Street to Cardinal Boulevard
  • 3rd Street from Central Station to Southern Heights Avenue
  • 5th Street from Longfield Avenue to Lansing Avenue
  • Bohannon Avenue from Racine Drive to Queen Avenue
  • Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
  • Southern Parkway from 3rd Street to Southern Heights Avenue
  • Taylor Boulevard from Ashland Avenue to Algonquin Parkway
  • Winkler Avenue from Algonquin Parkway to 3rd Street
  • Winn Avenue from 4th Street to Southern Parkway
  • Dearcy Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
  • Kenton Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
  • Evelyn Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
  • Fairmont Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
  • Whitney Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
  • Lansing Avenue from 5th Street to Southern Parkway
  • Arcade Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 7th Street

Wednesday, May 1 - Saturday, May 4 from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Floyd Street
  • 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Central Station
  • 9th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • North Alley of Central Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
  • Burton Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
  • Lillian Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Rodman Street
  • Rodman Street from Central Avenue to Lillian Avenue
  • 6th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • 5th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • 4th Street from Central Avenue to Heywood Avenue
  • 3rd Street from Central Avenue to Brook Street
  • Oakdale Avenue from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to alley at Churchill Downs Backside Gate
  • West Alley (south of Brown Lot) from 3rd Street/Southern Parkway to 4th Street
  • 4th Street from West Alley to Longfield Avenue
  • Longfield Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to 4th Street
  • Queen Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
  • Thornberry Avenue from Taylor Boulevard to Warren Avenue
  • Homeview Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
  • Racine Drive from Taylor Boulevard to Churchill Downs entrance
  • Wizard Avenue from Longfield Avenue to Queen Avenue
  • Warren Avenue from Thornberry Avenue to Homeview Drive
Download PDF LMPD 2024 Oaks and Derby street closures and no parking zones

LMPD asked people obey the "no parking" signs and said there is a traffic diversion plan in place to make sure emergency vehicles can get through routes if needed. LMPD Deputy Chief Steve Healey also said the street racing ordinance will be strictly enforced. 

"There will be no street racing, drifting, or the taking over of intersections," Healey said. "Our street racing ordinance will be strictly enforced. We will have plenty of tow vehicles in place to assist in the enforcing of the street racing ordinance."

Healey also noted two Kroger locations will have adjusted hours during Oaks and Derby. He said the Kroger at 28th and Broadway and the Kroger at 3rd and Central will only be open from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. He said no other Kroger locations have plans to adjust hours.

For more information about LMPD's traffic and safety plans for Derby weekend, click here.

For a map of the street closures and no parking zones, click here or on the PDF embedded in this story.

Sign up for LENS alerts

The city also encouraged locals and visitors from out of town to sign up for LENS alerts to receive updates. To sign up, text "DERBY" TO 67283. 

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