As thousands of people move into apartments downtown this week, the City of Madison will lift its vehicle closure in the 400-600 blocks of State Street through Sunday, August 18, to make room for moving trucks and other vehicles used during the annual August Moving Days.

The 400-600 blocks of State Street have been closed to all but emergency traffic starting at 3 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends since early May as part of the State Street Pedestrian Mall experiment. Maintaining the restriction during traditional downtown moving days would have created logistical headaches for the many people planning to move into apartments over the next few weeks, so city staff is suspending the restriction to allow access to apartments on that portion of State Street.

While vehicle access is permitted for transportation purposes, drivers should still exercise caution, be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists in the area, and drive slowly. Vehicles may use State Street for active loading and unloading, but must still adhere to all other posted restrictions.