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SALT LAKE CITY — The arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley 175 years ago Sunday didn't prompt any traffic delays; however, Salt Lake police say that may not be the case all these years later as another group emerges out of Emigration Canyon this Saturday.
The Salt Lake City Police Department is warning residents, workers and visitors to be patient if they have plans to travel through parts of the city Saturday morning because of "significant and potentially lengthy" road closures set up for the Deseret News Marathon and Days of '47 Parade.
The marathon will begin at the top of Big Mountain above Emigration Canyon starting at 5:30 a.m., meaning the canyon will be closed until after all the runners make their way through. The pathway continues west onto Sunnyside Avenue, then north on Foothill Drive as it turns into 500 South.
The path moves north again as runners turn onto 1300 East from 500 South. It then continues onto South Temple from 1300 East to 200 East before runners turn south. Runners will then run to 900 South before turning east on that road until they get to Liberty Park.
There's also a half marathon that starts at the top of Little Mountain and a 10K that begins at Research Park, both beginning at 6 a.m. The 5K begins at 950 E. South Temple at 7 a.m. All three will complete a portion of the marathon course.
The parade, on the other hand, will begin at South Temple and State Street at 9 a.m. before the pathway also travels south at 200 East. The parade route turns east at 900 South, and also ends at Liberty Park.
Officers will be stationed throughout the routes and help traffic cross the roadways "when it is safe and possible to do so," police in a video posted on Twitter Tuesday. However, they add that nobody will be allowed to cross the parade route until the parade is over.
Some streets are expected to be closed for up to seven hours.
All roadway users are encouraged to follow all posted signs and directions from officers along the routes.
"Road closure maps are available for review on the Salt Lake City Days of '47 website," police added in a statement. "Please use extreme caution when traveling through the area as there will be a significant increase in vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic."
