With the end of the Olympics comes a return to normal for many area roads and the public transportation system.
But not before some major changes and closures take effect today to accommodate the closing ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Games.
Park-and-ride lots will open at 2:30 p.m. and will service Rice-Eccles Stadium only. Spectators attending closing ceremonies should use the ZIP code map on utahcommuterlink.com to find a park-and-ride lot near their neighborhood.
The University TRAX line will not service Rice-Eccles Stadium after 1 p.m. Those using TRAX to reach the stadium should exit the train at the Courthouse Station, walk one block east to Washington Square and board a shuttle bus to the stadium.
There will be no Olympic shuttle bus service to downtown Salt Lake City today. Spectators going to the Olympic Medals Plaza should use the Salt Lake-Sandy TRAX line or carpool.
The following road closures/restrictions will also be in place for the closing ceremonies:
500 South from 1300 East to Wasatch Drive is closed until Monday at 6 a.m.
Both northbound lanes and one southbound lane of 1300 East from 800 South to 500 South will close today at noon and will reopen Monday at 6 a.m.
Guardsman Way from Sunnyside Avenue to 500 South will be restricted to permitted vehicles beginning at 2 p.m.
Foothill Drive from Sunnyside Avenue to Wasatch Drive will also be restricted to permitted vehicles only beginning at 2 p.m.
Throughout the week, the Utah Transit Authority will return to pre-Olympic schedules and many of the roads that have been closed or restricted during the Olympics will return to normal operations for both driving and parking, according to a news release issued Saturday.
Streets and areas that were closed to facilitate Olympic bus traffic and pedestrian walkways are scheduled to reopen Monday. These include Main Street, areas along 500 South and 1300 East and most surface street parking. Between Monday and Thursday, barriers and fencing will be removed and streets opened when it is deemed safe for workers and the driving public.
The majority of the roads in downtown Salt Lake City with restrictions or closures will return to normal by noon Thursday.
Some closures and restrictions near the Main Media Center (the Salt Palace) and the Olympic Medals Plaza will stay in place until after the Paralympic Winter Games, which end March 16. A few restrictions will not be lifted until the end of March.
In Park City, China Bridge and Swede Alley will reopen Monday and Main Street will reopen to vehicles by Wednesday.
Some roads, where structures were built, may require temporary patchwork. The Utah Department of Transportation will make any needed permanent improvements on these areas this summer.
TRAX schedules will return to normal Monday and service to the Delta Center and Temple Square stations will begin again Thursday.
Additional bus trips offered for commuters during the Olympics will be discontinued Monday. And detoured buses will return to their regular routes Monday.
For an updated schedule of when road closures and restrictions will be lifted, visit www.utahcommuterlink.com.
E-MAIL: lculler@desnews.com