As a result of President Obama visiting Central Texas to take part in numerous speeches and fundraisers, Austin residents were forced to endure crippling gridlock on major roads and interstate 35 for over an hour.
Expect traffic delays today due to President Obama's visit. Be patient, allow extra time. http://t.co/HBOHoOw89I
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) July 10, 2014
Making some Austinites spend hours in traffic, Obama’s visit has prompted several street closures and bus detours, crippling the flow of traffic in a town already listed by Forbes as fourth in the nation with the worst traffic delays.
According to Alex Jones who commuted to and from work during the delays, police had the roads blocked for hours, even after the Obama motorcade had passed. After leaving the Infowars studio at around 3PM, roads were still shut down as the emperor stopped for barbecue.
Local news stations reported roads closed wherever the presidential motorcade decided to travel, and several public bus routes were also rerouted and delayed in response to the president’s visit.
Riders! Expect possible delays today during presidential visit with street closures downtown. #MetroBusAlert
— Capital Metro (@CapMetroATX) July 10, 2014
Here are just a few reactions from Austin residents:
So much traffic in Austin today. Thanks, Obama!
— John (@SIMJOHN) July 10, 2014
You got traffic in Austin stupid dude.. get yo BBQ & leave. @BarackObama
— sG. (@SedGlaze) July 10, 2014
Well the traffic in Austin is 10 times worse than usual. Thanks Obama. Literally.
— Dusty Saxton (@dustysaxton) July 10, 2014
Austin traffic.. Thanks Obama. No seriously it's your fault. #ObamaATX
— Meredith (@MeredithMNeely) July 10, 2014
About to die in Austin traffic because every road is closed downtown #ThanksObama
— Karley. (@KarleyTodd) July 10, 2014
The shutdown of I35, Mopac, 290 & 360 are to simulate future Austin traffic conditions in 2020 #ThanksObama
— Jonathan Tanzer (@jtanzer) July 10, 2014
Now there's heavy traffic on MoPac in both directions… Lake Austin Blvd closed while President eats at Magnolia Cafe #ATXtraffic
— Erica Brennes (@EricaBrennes) July 10, 2014
Stuck in traffic in Austin #ThanksObama
…literally he is in Austin so Capital of Texas highway is closed..
— Joshua Massie (@MoshJassie) July 10, 2014
Get out of Austin Obama you're causing traffic everywhere…. #noonelikeyou
— CP (@cperk77) July 10, 2014
Obama brought so much traffic to austin
— Justin Martinez (@JustinMartinezF) July 10, 2014
30 min meeting turned into a 3.5 hour meeting and i left it even more confused than i was at the beginning #thanksObama
— Danielle Stoner (@musiclover3261) July 10, 2014
The city’s municipal courthouse also posted special hours during the visit, and rescheduled court dates for anyone scheduled to appear on Wednesday and Thursday.
The president spoke at the Paramount Theater on Congress Ave. earlier today.
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