Ironman 70.3 Waco Traffic Impact

Published on September 30, 2024

The annual Ironman 70.3 Waco event is set to return on Sunday, Oct. 6. The event, which will attract approximately 7,500 athletes and spectators and will be headquartered at Indian Spring Park. This is the sixth time Waco has hosted the Ironman event. Set-up, equipment deliveries and pre-race road closures in front of the park will begin Monday, Sept. 30.

For route and turn-by-turn information of the swim, bike, and run course, please review the Ironman 70.3 Waco website.

• There will be a single Ironman race, the 70.3-mile event on Sunday Oct. 6

• • The bike race for the route will travel toward Robinson and turn around in Chilton for an out- and-back course. Routes will not travel in the China Spring area.
  --- Routes will not extend past Brazos Park East, along Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
  --- The new route will travel south along University Parks Dr. and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., La Salle Ave., 12th St. and 4th St.

• An IronKids running race will be held on Saturday Oct. 5. Road closures will include:
  --- University Parks Dr. from Franklin Ave. to Washington Ave.
  --- Washington Street Bridge

Due to the length of the race routes, impacts to traffic along certain roadways are expected. The event organizers have secured approximately 65 officers to control intersections and ensure traffic proceeds safely and efficiently. Please see the following list of impacted roads, street closures and access routes on Oct. 6.

Complete Road Closures:

• University Parks Dr./Cameron Park Dr. (Franklin Ave. to Lawson’s Point)
• Washington Street Bridge

Timeline of Impacted Roads:

(There will be periodic delays — but not complete closures — along the race route as participants pass through residential areas)

• Sunday delays are expected to begin between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will continue until approximately 4 p.m.
• Peak delay times at intersections are between 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Please allow extra travel time if your itinerary includes locations along the route and places of worship.

Expected Intersection and Road Delays:

(There will be potential delays at the following intersections. Roads will remain open for vehicular access, and officers will direct traffic as soon as possible.)

• MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Herring Ave.
• MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Washington Ave.
• MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Franklin Ave.
• MLK, Jr. Blvd. and I-35 (North/Southbound Frontage Rd.)
• MLK, Jr. Blvd. and Loop 340
• University Parks Dr. and La Salle Ave.
• La Salle Ave. and 12th St.
• S. 12th St. and Loop 340 Frontage Rd.
• S. Old Robinson Rd. and Hwy 77
• Hwy 77 and State Hwy 7 (Chilton)
• University Parks Dr. and Loop 340
• MLK, Jr. Blvd. from Herring Ave. to Loop 340
• Herring Ave. between 4th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd.
• La Salle Ave. between MLK, Jr. Blvd. and 12th St.
• 12th St. between La Salle Ave. and Garden Ave.
• 12th St. between Garden Ave. and Downsville Rd.
• Downsville Rd. between 12th St. and S. Old Robinson Rd.
• S. Old Robinson Rd. between Downsville Rd. and Hwy 77
• Hwy 77 between Downsville Rd. and Hwy 7
• E. Leona Pkwy. between Hwy 77 and Cedell Hill Rd.
• Cedell Hill Rd. Between E Leona Pkwy and E. Rocket
• E Rocket between Cedell Hill Rd. and S 3rd St.
• S 3rd St. (FM 434) between E. Rocket Rd. and Texas Frontage Road on Loop 340.
• S 3rd St. between Texas Frontage Road and Ocampo Ave.
• Ocampo Ave. between S 3rd St. and 4th St.
• 4th St. between Ocampo Ave. and LaSalle Ave.

Travel Options:

• University Parks Dr. from Franklin Ave. to Lawson’s Point will be closed. Residents can access Cameron Park points of interest such as Northern Gateway and Lovers Leap from N. 19th St.
• Herring Ave. between 4th St. and MLK, Jr. Blvd. will be open to vehicles. Motorists can cross Herring Avenue Bridge, with delays expected throughout the day.
• MLK, Jr. Blvd. will be open from Herring Ave. to Loop 340. Vehicle access will be allowed on both sides of the roadway.
• La Salle Ave. will be open to vehicles, and bikers will use one lane on the northbound and southbound side of roadway between Loop 340 and 12th St.
• South 12th St. and South 4th St. will be accessible and open to vehicles. Please note all residential neighborhoods along the route will be forced to turn north (toward La Salle Ave.). Athletes will utilize one traffic lane. Expect delays at intersections along the roadway.
• Leona Pkwy. will be open for one-way vehicle traffic. Motorists and residents will be forced to travel east bound to FM 434.
• Highway 77 will remain open. Participants will utilize one lane on each side of the highway.
• Downtown Public Parking will be available at Heritage Square, City Hall, Franklin Ave./5th St. garage and downtown public lots.

For questions concerning the Ironman traffic impact, call the Parks and Recreation Department at (254) 750-5980 or email at outdoorevents@wacotx.gov

Printable PDF(PDF, 232KB)