Tempe and ASU officials conveyed that event-related road closures are part of detailed planning that aims to keep the public safe, but local commuters argued closures disrupt commutes.
The upcoming Rock 'n' Roll Arizona races on Jan. 17-18 will bring road closures affecting South Mill Avenue and West Rio Salado Parkway. It comes after Tempe hosted multiple major events, such as IRONMAN Arizona in November and Tempe Festival of the Arts in December, that led to road closures and increased traffic in downtown Tempe.
City officials said events undergo a detailed planning process months before the events take place, to maintain safety and maximize traffic efficiency.
Tempe special events manager Linda Cano said in a written statement that the Special Events Office requires applications at least 60 days prior to an event, allowing time to plan for traffic control.
"Our team relies heavily on our public safety and transportation partners throughout the Special Events Task Force Committee (SETFC) process to review each event, assess public safety needs, and determine any potential roadway impacts," Cano stated.
Several partners are involved in preparation, including the Tempe Police Department, Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department, the company producing the event and its contracted barricade supplier, Cano said.
A spokesperson for Tempe PD said in a written statement that public safety is the department's main priority when planning events, followed by the efficient movement of traffic.
Tempe PD considers many factors, including expected attendance numbers, queue lines, open roadways and infrastructure to prevent vehicle incursion, when determining how to effectively and safely shut down roads, the department spokesperson said.
Tempe also hosted seven ASU home football games during the 2025 season, as well as the Homecoming Parade. All resulted in road closures and heavier traffic.
ASU Police Department commander Anthony Momon and the Tempe PD spokesperson said personnel from ASU PD, Tempe PD, the Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department and ASU Athletics are stationed at command posts, which ensure effective communication and emergency response.
Like Tempe PD, ASU PD also pays close attention to the number of attendees and strategically places barricades to prevent vehicle incursions, Momon said.
"We take as many steps as we possibly can to make sure that … everyone is as safe as they can be when they attend an event at Arizona State University," Momon said.
After large events, involved stakeholders convene to discuss how the event unfolded and propose any possible future improvements, Momon said.
Similarly, the city's Special Events Office is undergoing a strategic plan process to improve preparation for future events.
"It is our hope that by going through this strategic plan process, we will be able to decrease the number of events that have street impacts," Cano stated.
Kevin Bast, a J.P. Morgan employee, said the road closures make commuting to work difficult.
"It's a nightmare," Bast said. "We're trying to get to our office building right here, and they close the streets completely."
Bast said the company usually lets employees leave early to beat traffic and avoid road closures. Despite the hassle, he said Tempe conducts road closures well and should continue to host major events like IRONMAN Arizona.
"I think they should continue to do it," Bast said. "It brings a lot of notoriety and people from other states into Tempe, and they need the revenue."
READ MORE: Major construction projects surrounding ASU Tempe frustrate commuters
Some ASU students said the road closures bring congestion and unnecessary stress.
Paul Perea, a junior studying business, said he is discouraged by the additional stress of road congestion and a lack of notification concerning road closures.
Perea said the closures are annoying and force him to reroute his commute to campus, requiring him to leave earlier than normal.
"Half the time I'll just choose not to go to class," Perea said. "It's too much out of the way to figure something out."
Natalie Brandenburg, a junior studying mechanical engineering, said she still runs into traffic during events despite living south of the Tempe campus.
Brandenburg said she saw the issue firsthand when watching her father and brother run in the IRONMAN Arizona race. The nearby area was a mess, she said.
She said she typically doesn't know about the road closures until she's stuck in the traffic.
Mary Kate Nacke, a spokesperson for the city's transportation and sustainability department, said in a written statement that information regarding road closures and transit impacts can be found on the Tempe website. An email database that informs residents of closures and affected neighborhoods is also available.
Edited by Carsten Oyer, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at emalvar9@asu.edu.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Emilio is a junior at Arizona State University and this is his second semester at The State Press.
