Tens of thousands of bicyclists will be leaving Ames and heading to Des Moines today for RAGBRAI.  City officials and RAGBRAI organizers want people to plan ahead of the big day, as traffic delays caused by major road closures are expected. All streets on the route into Des Moines will close as early as 8 a.m. and open around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. On Thursday, all streets on the route will be closed at 5 a.m. and open around 1 p.m.

Highland Park:

E. 14th Street

Union Park:

E. 14th Street

MLK, Jr Park:

E. 14th Street

Westbound E. University

Capitol Park:

E. 14th Street

E. 9th Street

E. University Ave

Historic East Village:

E. 9th Street

E. Walnut Street

Downtown Des Moines:

Walnut Street

15th Street

W. MLK, Jr Parkway

Gray’s Lake:

Fleur Drive (Northbound)

U.S. 69 closures:

I-80 exit ramps to U.S. 69 will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Southbound lanes on U.S. 69 will be closed from Magazine Road to Euclid Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North and southbound lanes on U.S. 69 will be closed from south of Euclid Avenue to University Avenue from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.