Flood Prep Plans for Wild Fans

From Wild.com, some information that Wild fans, and those planning to attend NCAA events at the X in the coming weeks:

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Due to the prediction of a 19.8-foot flood level by early next week, the City of Saint Paul is closing Shepard and Warner Road between Eagle Street and Hwy. 61 beginning on Saturday morning. Jackson and Sibley Streets between Kellogg and Shepard will also be closed and Kellogg Boulevard, from Wall Street to Broadway Street, will be restricted to one lane of traffic in each direction due to flood protection work.   

Beginning Saturday, affected fans planning to attend events at Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul RiverCentre in downtown Saint Paul should allow extra time and use alternate routes. It is possible the road closures will affect the following events:

Sat. March 20          2010 Red Baron WCHA Final Five    2 & 7 pm
Sun. March 21          Minnesota Wild vs. Calgary Flames 2 pm
Sun. March 21          Alice In Chains                   7:30 pm
Mon. March 22          Black Eyed Peas                   7:30 pm
Tue. March 23          Minnesota Wild v. San Jose Sharks 7 pm
Wed. March 24          Celtic Woman                      7:30 pm
Fri. Sat., March 26-27 NCAA Men’s Hockey West Regional   Varies
Sat. Sun., March 27-28 Donnie Smith Bike Show            Varies

The best points of entry for downtown will be from I-35E and from I-94.  MnDOT will display messages on existing variable message signs, information regarding the closures on the northbound lanes of I-35E south of the river and, if needed on the westbound lanes along I-94 beginning Saturday morning.  

Visit www.stpaul.gov/floodprep for current information on the flood preparation and information from the National Weather Service. For up-to-date information on road closures go to www.stpaul.gov/roadclosures.

Xcel Energy Center and the adjacent Saint Paul RiverCentre are located at the intersection of Kellogg Boulevard and West 7th Street in downtown Saint Paul. The buildings are serviced by two parking ramps (RiverCentre and Kellogg) directly connected to the complex. Both ramps will still be accessible at every entrance point. Additionally, there are more than 50 parking ramps and lots within a brief walk of the facilities. 

For more information on parking in downtown Saint Paul, patrons should refer to http://www.xcelenergycenter.com/GettingHere/Parking.jsp or http://www.rivercentre.org/parking/ to find Park Smart! Maps, designed to offer routes to the most convenient parking locations for events in Saint Paul.

So, Russo, plan to leave early for the Black Eyed Peas concert. For the rest of you, adjust accordingly.

-Buddha