Cleveland road, air, water travel limited for event

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Federal officials will restrict road, air and water travel around the city for this month’s Republican National Convention, with security measures affecting passenger and cargo vehicles.

The event, at which the party officially nominates its candidate for president, is expected to draw as many as 50,000 people, so visitors and residents alike might find value in planning ahead for the major congestion anticipated around town.

Pilots have been alerted that temporary flight restrictions, or TFRs, will be in place for varying distances around Cleveland for the GOP convention from July 18-21 and in Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention a week later.

Law-enforcement aircraft and air ambulances are exempt from the restrictions, as are regularly scheduled commercial passenger and cargo flights operating under preapproved security procedures. Cleveland-bound flights not operating under such a program will have to stop first at the Youngstown or Akron-Canton airports for security screenings. Drones are prohibited.

On the ground, officials plan to close most of the roads that immediately surround the main venue, Quicken Loans Arena, neighboring Progressive Field and the Huntington Convention Center a few blocks away. They’ll restrict traffic on other roads in that area.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced restricted zones on July 17 in Lake Erie near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and evenings from July 18-22 along the Cuyahoga River as it winds inland toward Interstate 90.