Politics & Government

Obama Road Closures: 'No Matter Who You Are You're Not Getting Through'

Roads in West Hartford will be closed on and off Monday between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m., police said.

This story was posted by Susan Schoenberger. It was written and reported by Ronni Newton.

Roads in West Hartford will be closed intermittently on Monday afternoon and evening to allow President Barack Obama's motorcade to make its way to and from the University of Hartford.

Bloomfield Ave., where the entrance to the University of Hartford is located, will be the main road in West Hartford impacted by the arrival and departure of the President.

"When the road is closed it will be closed," said West Hartford Police Capt. Jeff Rose, who is head of the department's traffic division. "No matter who you are you're not getting through."

Rose said that the road will not be closed for the entire length of time the President Obama is on the University of Hartford campus, but rather on and off throughout the day between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m.

"If you're home by 3 p.m., plan to stay there," said Rose.

Rumors that CT Transit buses will be able to travel routes otherwise closed to automobile traffic are not true, Rose said. Rumors that I-91 will be closed for the entire four-hour period are also untrue, he said, although the highway will be closed at times.

West Hartford Public Schools have been advised of potential closures and detours, and school buses will have to do their best, Rose said. "It's not going to be convenient," he said, and even though road closures may not last long, the afternoon commute is likely to be be seriously impacted.

The University of Hartford will hold classes on Monday until 3 p.m., the Fitness Center will close at 10 a.m., and Campus Physical Therapy and Health Services will be closed all day. Other nearby facilities may have revised schedules as well.

President Obama will be in West Hartford on Monday, April 8, to speak with University of Hartford students, faculty, and White House-invited guests about the topic of gun violence, requesting the support of the American people to urge Congress to pass gun control measures.

Tickets were distributed on Friday afternoon to the first 1,500 University of Hartford students, faculty, and staff who waited in line.

The event will be held at the Chase Family Arena of the University’s Sports Center. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m. for those who have tickets.

Patch will be at the University of Hartford, reporting live on the site and through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you're tweeting or using Instagram during or about the President's visit, use the hashtag #ObamaWH to be included in our feed!


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