Sun, Jul 05, 2009
Charles E. Gillman Company Accounting Specialist Sales and Marketing Everready Glass Sales Reps Construction West-Press Printing Health Care CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Trades/Construction RANCHO RESORT MAINTANANCE POSITION Administrative & Professional Tucson Urban League CEO/President Mechanical Komatsu Equipment Co Resident Field Mechanic OpinionTucson reaps many benefits from El TourOur IDEA: Be patient with cyclists as they speed their way around community
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.22.2008
More than 8,000 cyclists will zip around our community today during one of the city's marquee sporting events, El Tour de Tucson.
The weather should be idyllic: Breezy this morning, but the wind should die down later this afternoon and evening.
While drivers may not consider a stream of cyclists on the roadways idyllic, El Tour is a community event that benefits the economy and social services here.
According to the Perimeter Bicycling Association of America Inc., 9,122 cyclists participated in last year's event. About 2,800 volunteers helped out and there were an estimated 30,000 El Tour spectators.
El Tour is an economic engine. The Perimeter Bicycling Association estimates that the race generates $50 million to $70 million in the Tucson area during the year. That figure includes $20 million to $30 million on the weekend of the event.
The cycling event also supports charitable agencies. Last year the race raised more than $1.8 million, according to the association.
This year Tu Nidito Children & Family Services, the American Parkinson's Disease Association, Water For People, the Ben's Bells Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Diamond Children's Medical Center, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and other perimeter bicycling charities will benefit from the ride.
If you are out and about in your car today, here are a couple of points to keep in mind:
● Congress Street isn't expected to be congested, according to Star archives. A new route suggested by the Arizona Department of Transportation should keep the traffic flowing on Congress in light of freeway construction.
● Speaking of the freeway, there will be restrictions today. The eastbound frontage road to close at Congress Street from about 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Eastbound frontage-road traffic will be detoured at Congress Street to Stone Avenue.
The westbound frontage road should be closed between 22nd Street and Congress Street from about 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. Westbound frontage-road traffic will be detoured at 22nd Street to Sixth Avenue and Congress Street.
Today's 26th El Tour de Tucson is a hallmark sporting event for our community. It brings in the bucks, feeds the economy and aids charitable agencies.
We hope you'll join us in being cautious and patient while driving near the ride route. El Tour is a Tucson Thing that we hope thrives for many, many years.
|
|
7 Comments on this story