Road closures for NBA All-Star week announced

ORLANDO, Fla.,None — Final preparations are being made for next weekend's NBA All-Star game.

Orlando will be playing host to one of the biggest sporting events of the year. The NBA All-Star game is projected to bring tens-of-thousands of visitors from all over the world.

"I am not concerned. And it just so happens I am out of town, but I think overall people are used to it," said resident Nirali Patel.

City officials hope people will heed the warnings about the many roads that will be shut down as fans pour into downtown for the events and parties.

"It is good for the economy. I am all for it. We need it," said resident Wendy Sun.

"I think the construction down here is already kind of difficult so adding a lot of traffic and roads closed, it's just going to make it chaotic," resident Bridgette Wager said.

The closures will begin at 6 a.m. Monday morning. Church Street will be closed right in front of the Amway Center and it will not re-open until next week.

A city spokeswoman told WFTV 50,000 people will be in the city and another 180,000 will be just up Interstate 4 for Daytona 500 the same day.

Apartment and condo complexes downtown are handing out neighborhood access passes to make sure residents can get to and from home during the busy week. The passes cannot be sold.

Parking will be available all over the city, but WFTV learned the Geico Garage is already sold out.

WFTV