Traffic Closures
July 3 - July 6
The Fitchburg Longsjo Classic has been supported and cherished by the greater Fitchburg community for 48 wonderful years. The race could not happen without community involvement and support. One thing that we know we need to do better is communicate with the residents directly affected by the different race courses.
Working with Police, Fire and DPW crews in Fitchburg, Westminster, Princeton, Ashby and Ashburnham, we have developed a system of detours and road closures which will allow racing to continue smoothly, and will help minimize any disruptions in normal traffic flow.
We have created a system of road closure and detour maps that we are encouraging residents to download and become familiar with. They are posted below:
Day One: Rindge Road Time Trial - July 3, 2008
Closures Occur: 7AM to 8PM
Areas affected: Rindge Road in Fitchburg, Ashby, and Ashburnham.
All local police have agreed to limit travel in both directions to local traffic only
All business and homes will be accessible, though near the start (Saima Park in Fitchburg) and finish (near route 101 in Ashburnham) residents should expect minor delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes on July 3,2008.
Day Three: Fitchburg State College Circuit Race - July 5, 2008
Closures Occur: 7AM to 8PM
Areas affected: Areas around John Fitch Highway , Will Thompson Way and Pearl Streets. Residents living within the race course will only be allowed to cross the course and exit the course using Lincoln Street. Residents living on John Fitch Highway will be allowed to exit their homes with police and marshal permission when it is safe, and when they are in no danger of affecting the race.
All residents living south of Wallace Civic Center will have to leave their homes headed southbound on John Fitch Highway. Please Understand that there can be no exceptions! Also expect some minor delays.
Access to Birchwood Care Center will be allowed via Mechanic Street and John Fitch Highway. When leaving Birchwood Care Center, drivers must turn right, and head southbound turning left onto Will Thompson Way. No one may leave Birchwood turning left onto John Fitch Highway. This goes against the race direction and is extremely, extremely dangerous!!!
There will be no parking allowed on the sides of Lincoln Street for the duration of the day. This is to allow safe passage of emergency vehicles through the race course. Vehicles, including racer’s vehicles will be towed at owner’s expense.
Day Two: Wachusett Mountain Road Race - July 4, 2008
Closures Occur: 8AM to 6PM
Areas affected: Westminster, Princeton.
All race course roads will be open to traffic. If driving the roads in the race direction, you should expect significant delays, especially as riders leave route 140 and begin climbing into Princeton via routes 31 and 62.
If you are driving in the opposite direction from the race, and you see the pack approaching, PLEASE PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR THE GROUP TO PASS. A smooth stop along the route is much safer for both drivers and racers. There is no need to pull over for, or stay behind a lone rider, we just ask that you pass with caution.
Mile Hill Road is closed from Bolton Road (lower entrance to the ski area) up to the entrance of the state park. NO TRAFFIC AT ALL WILL BE ALLOWED UP MILE HILL ROAD. RIDERS DESCEND THE MOUNTAIN AT CLOSE TO 60MPH!!
To avoid delays, spectators arriving at the ski area for the bike donation drive, Mount Wachusett BBQ, and skyride are encouraged to follow the detour signs from route 140 (via route 2, exit 25)
- South onto Rt. 140
- First right onto Davis Road
- First left onto West Princeton Road.
- Left onto Bolton Road to back entrance of ski area parking lot.
49th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic
Website by Ed Collier Photography
Fitchburg Cycling Club / P.O. Box 923 / Fitchburg, MA / 01420
Marketing Director / Bill White / wwhite @ longsjo.com
Executive Director / Ed Collier / ecollier @ longsjo.com
General Questions / info2008 @ longsjo.com
Day Four: Workers’ Credit Union Downtow Criterium - July 6, 2008
Closures Occur: 6:30AM to 6PM
Areas affected: Downtown Fitchburg will be essentially closed to vehicle traffic between 6:30AM and 6PM on Sunday July 6, 2008. Drivers who need to pass though the area should follow the detours outlined in the map below. Detour signs will be posted to guide drivers on the day of the event.
There will be no parking anywhere on Main Street or Boulder Drive after 6:30 AM. Vehicles will be towed at precisely 6:30 AM at the owner’s expense.
