The Great Race 2022 is coming to Downtown Plainfield Wednesday, June 22. The national event will have more than 130 classic cars participating in an eight-day race from Warwick, R.I. to Fargo, N.D..
Plainfield is the evening destination for day four of the Great Race 2022. Race vehicles, all built between 1904 and 1974, will arrive between 4:45 p.m. and 7 p.m. June 22.
The Great Race will cause significant traffic delays in and around Downtown Plainfield. Those motorists who are not planning on enjoying the event, are encouraged to avoid the downtown area Wednesday, June 22 between the hours of 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. due to heavier than normal traffic movement and road closures.
Starting at 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, Des Plaines Street south of Lockport Street, from Lockport Street to the alley north of Chicago Street, will be closed to all vehicle traffic.
No parking will be permitted along Lockport Street between Route 59 and James Street.
Starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 police will close the following roadways:
• Lockport Street from James Street to Route 59.
• Fox River Street will be closed at Lockport Street.
• Des Plaines Street from the alley north of Lockport Street to the alley south of Lockport Street, north of Chicago Street.
• Illinois Street from the alley north of Lockport Street to Chicago Street.
Lockport Street, Fox River Street, and Illinois Street will reopen at the conclusion of the event approximately 9 p.m., June 22.
All parking restrictions for the event will be lifted at the conclusion of the event.
Des Plaines Street south of Lockport Street from Lockport Street to the alley north of Chicago Street will remain closed until approximately noon Thursday. June 23.
Route 59 will not be closed, however. motorists should be advised traffic back-ups and delays are expected.
Great Race participant vehicles, not spectators, will enter Plainfield from the east by using Route 30. They will travel the historic corridor where Route 30 and Route 66 intersect and turn west on to Lockport Street from Route 59.(Only Great Race participant vehicles will be authorized to turn onto Lockport Street from Illinois Route 59.
The finish line for the day’s race will be set up on Lockport Street at Illinois Street. Great Race participant vehicles will park on Lockport Street and be available for public viewing until 8 p.m..
Spectators are encouraged to park in the municipal parking lots north of Lockport Street, on Des Plaines Street and Illinois Street at Plainfield Village Hall, or at Plainfield Central High School.
Anyone with questions related to the Great Race road closures or parking restrictions can contact Commander Zach Zigterman at the Police Department, 815-439-2929.
—Zach Zigterman, commander