Several weekend road closures planned for area around Hamilton's Tim Hortons Field

With the Grey Cup between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers taking over Tim Hortons Field this Sunday, area residents can expect some traffic challengesaround the stadium.

Several streets will becompletely blocked off and the city saysno lawn parking is allowed in the area on game day it may bewise to bike, take a taxi or ride-share, or take transit to avoid the headaches.

"Staff are actively discouraging additional vehicles from accessing and parking in the area," said City of Hamilton spokesperson Michelle Shantz on Friday. "These plans were put together over a number of months and in conjunction with both the event organizers and [city staff]."

Road closures

The following roads will be closed from 5 p.m. Saturday until 7 a.m. Monday:

• Melrose Avenue, Beechwood Avenue to Cannon Street
• Beechwood Avenue, Melrose Avenue to Balsam Avenue
• Balsam Avenue, Beechwood Avenue to Cannon Street

Starting at 9 a.m. Sunday, Cannon Street from Balsam Avenue to Melrose Avenue will also be closed.

As the street is a thoroughfare in the neighbourhood, traffic for those passing through is likely to be affected. Cannon will reopen at 7 a.m. Monday. The closure will affect the HSR's Cannon 3 bus, which will be taking a detour on Sunday. (See Hamilton.ca/HSRdetours for more information.)

Taking transit

Grey Cup ticket holders can ride HSR for free on Sunday from 3:30 p.m. until the end of service that day. The last buses leave downtown that evening at 11:30 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.

Riders using ATS/DARTS service can also ride for free with their Grey Cup ticket. DARTS will drop-off and pick-up rides at Gate 1A or Gate 4A.

HSR is running special shuttles to the game starting between 3:30 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. The green line serves downtown, the gold line serves the Hamilton Mountain, the red line goes to Dundas and the black line serves Stoney Creek. The buses will also run after the game until all riders have been served, according to the city.

Here are the stop locations:

• Black line (Stoney Creek): GO Station, Sandman Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton, Comfort Inn Hamilton, Eastgate Square
• Gold line (Hamilton Mountain): TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Courtyard Marriot Hamilton, CF Lime Ridge
• Green line (Lower City): West Harbour GO Station, Sheraton Hamilton, Staybridge Suites Hamilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton, MacNab Transit Terminal, Hunter GO Station.
• Red line (West end, Dundas): University Plaza, McMaster University, Visitor's Inn, Sheraton Hamilton, Staybridge Suites Hamilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton Hamilton, MacNab Transit Terminal.

More information on route stops can be found at Hamilton.ca/HSRGreyCup.

Taking a taxi

Fans taking a taxi or rideshare to the game are asked to get dropped off at Lottridge Street between Cannon Street and Beechwood Avenue.

For more information, visit greycupfestival.ca/getting-to-the-game/.

Bike share

Hamilton's bike share program has bike rental stations across the city, including several around the stadium, on Cannon Street East, Gage Avenue North and others. Bikes can be picked up from various locations and dropped off at separate bike share stations.Pay-as-you-go options are available.

Parking

The parking lots adjacent to Tim Hortons Field are already sold out. Parking can be purchased on game day at two lots north of Barton Street and one at Gage Park. Click here for a map.

Parking costsbetween $15 and $25, depending on the lot, and can be paid by credit or debt.