New security measures, traffic patterns at the Twin Cities marathon

The Twin Cities Marathon will be routing more than 20,000 runners through the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul this weekend.

The marathon starts at 8:00 a.m. Sunday at the Metrodome, and will follow its traditional route. But drivers will find a change in the traffic pattern this year. Motorists used to be able to cross the Mississippi River on the Franklin Avenue bridge, a detour from the marathon route across the Lake and Marshall street bridge. But the bridge is closed this year because of new weight restrictions.

Drivers should consider finding another way through the busy area, said Virginia Brophy Achman, executive director of the Twin Cities Marathon

"We're asking people to use 94. And it's a little bit of a loop around. Or, if you know how to navigate over by the U, either taking Broadway or Washington Avenue. But we're asking people to take 35 to 94 and just go around," she said.

That's not the only change. Marathon organizers will implement a new security measure in response to last spring's Boston marathon bombings.

"We are asking spectators to please not bring their bags and backpacks to the event," Brophy Achman said. "And if they do, that's ok but then they are going to be subject to search. So we're just asking people just to leave them at home."

Brophy Achman says six police departments will collaborate to enforce the new security policy and ensure the safety of both runners and onlookers who flock to the Twin Cities from around the world for this weekend's race.

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