Expect some road closures in Niagara Falls as charity bike ride returns

When the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer event returns to Niagara Falls this weekend, expect some road closures and even a couple of parking lot shut-downs to accommodate the cyclists on June 10 and 11.

That said, it’s for a very good cause as last year, over 3,600 cyclists in the charity race raised a staggering $16.7 million in support of the vital research and work conducted by the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Starting and finishing at Queen Victoria Park, the two-day cycling challenge sees all monies go to personalized cancer medicine, research, treatment advances, education and new standards of care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

However, even though the challenge itself is just a Saturday-Sunday event, there will also be some pre- and post-race closures. On June 8, 9 and 12, there will be a temporary single lane closure of a northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Station from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to facilitate set up and clean up for the event.

On June 10, from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m., there will be a full closure of all northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill. All northbound traffic on the Niagara Parkway in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, operating in an opposing traffic pattern.

At approximately 8:25 a.m. to 8:35 a.m., all traffic between Upper Rapids Boulevard and Fraser Hill will be stopped, under the direction of the Niagara Parks Police Service, to facilitate the start of the event and to assist cyclists with transitioning to the southbound lane of the Niagara Parkway. Cyclists will be traveling southbound to the Macklem Street/Portage Road intersection in Chippawa, following the rules of the road.

Please note that until 10 a.m., Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will be closed to all traffic and parking. The Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse parking lot (Lot B) will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking (Lot A) or Rapidsview Parking (Lot C).

Access to Bus Management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview Parking Lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview Parking Lot and Table Rock Centre will continue without interruption, as all roads are expected to be reopened beginning at 10 a.m.

On June 11, beginning at 8 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m., there will be a full road closure of the Niagara Parkway from Marshall Road to Upper Rapids Boulevard, including Macklem Street at Portage Road. Additionally, Bridgewater Street from the Niagara Parkway to Cummington Square in Chippawa will be reduced to one lane.

There will be a single lane closure over Weightman Bridge to allow cyclists to re-enter the Niagara Parkway via Macklem Street in Chippawa. These sections will reopen as the last participant cycles through the event around 5 p.m.

From 4 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m., the northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill. All northbound traffic in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, which will operate in an opposing traffic pattern.

To avoid congestion, it is recommended that vehicles enter Niagara Parks via Murray Street or Clifton Hill.

Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will remain closed to all traffic and parking during the event. The parking lot at the Floral Showhouse (Lot B) will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking (Lot A) or Rapidsview Parking (Lot C).

Access to Bus Management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview Parking Lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview Parking Lot and Table Rock Centre will begin at 9 a.m. and continue without interruption. Traffic delays are to be expected, with all roads reopening by 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 11.