Long Beach motorists should brace for significant traffic disruptions this weekend as the city hosts its 42nd annual Long Beach Marathon. Marathon-related events are set to begin Friday, culminating in the main race on Sunday, bringing with it a raft of street closures across the city.
Most road closures and detours will be implemented on a rolling basis on Sunday, from 4:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to city officials. These closures will generally affect both sides of the street. However, some sections of Shoreline Drive will see earlier and longer-lasting impacts, starting Saturday and extending into Sunday evening.
Key closures to note include:
Shoreline Drive: Eastbound from Shoreline Village Drive to Ocean Boulevard will close at 7 a.m. on Saturday and remain closed until 5 p.m. on Sunday. The entire stretch of Shoreline Drive in both directions, from Shoreline Village Drive to Ocean Boulevard, will close at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Further sections of Shoreline Drive, specifically from Shoreline Village Drive to the Long Beach (710) Freeway, will also be impacted.
Downtown and Coastal Areas: Pine Avenue from Shoreline Drive to Seaside Way will be closed, as will the Queensway Bridge from Shoreline Drive to the 710 Freeway. Ocean Boulevard will see closures from Livingston Drive to 54th Street, and again from Livingston Drive to Alamitos Avenue.
East Long Beach and Residential Routes: Livingston Drive from Termino Avenue to Broadway, and Nieto Avenue from Appian Way to Broadway, will be closed. Appian Way from Nieto Avenue to East Third Street will be affected, along with East Third Street from Appian Way to Paoli Way. Marine Stadium will experience closures from Nieto Avenue to Bayshore Avenue.
Further inland, East Colorado Street from Orlena Avenue to Appian Way will be closed. Orlena Avenue from East Colorado Street to Fourth Street, and Fourth Street from Monrovia Avenue to Orlena Avenue are also on the list. Monrovia Avenue from Sixth Street to Fourth Street, and Sixth Street from Park Avenue to Monrovia Avenue will see detours. Park Avenue from Anaheim Street to Appian Way and Anaheim Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Park Avenue are also designated for closures.
Northern Routes: Northbound Clark Avenue from Atherton Street to Anaheim Street, westbound Atherton Street from Clark Avenue to Bellflower Boulevard, and southbound Palo Verde Avenue from Atherton Street to Anaheim Street will be closed. Atherton Street from Bellflower Boulevard to Palo Verde Avenue rounds out the extensive list of affected roadways.
Beyond traffic, temporary no-parking restrictions will be in effect along the entire marathon course. The city advises that vehicles left in restricted areas may be cited and towed to the city’s tow yard at 3111 E. Willow St., at the owner’s expense.
Residents in neighborhoods such as Belmont Shore, the Peninsula, Naples, Belmont Heights, Bluff Park, Bluff Heights, Alamitos Beach, Park Estates, and Los Altos are encouraged to review specific neighborhood access information before Sunday. For residents in Belmont Shore, the Peninsula, and Naples, free parking will be available in beach parking lots along Ocean Boulevard from Saturday night through Sunday. Police escorts may also be available at select locations for those needing to leave the area on Sunday.
Boat owners who typically park at Marina Green on Saturday will still have access via Shoreline Village Drive. On Sunday, boat owners can park at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, accessible via Pine Avenue.
Racecourse streets are slated to reopen by 2 p.m. on Sunday, with the exception of Shoreline Drive between Shoreline Village Drive and Ocean Boulevard, which officials expect to be fully open by 5 p.m. Sunday.
