Nik Wallenda plans to arrive in Chicago on Wednesday to prepare for his tightrope walk across the Chicago River this weekend, a variety of restrictions are being announced, ranging from bridge closures to a ban on drones.
Wallenda, 35, has spent the past three weeks practicing in his hometown of Sarasota, Fla., where he rehearsed on the same rigging that will be used during his stunt Sunday evening. He has often practiced at dusk and employed wind machines to help simulate the conditions he may find here.
A seventh-generation member of the famed Flying Wallendas, he is slated to begin his walk at 6 p.m. and finish within two hours. He repeatedly has said he will not use a harness or a net.
Organizers are expected to cancel the event if winds exceed 50 mph. Current forecasts call for a high of 49 degrees Sunday and wind speeds around 14 mph.
“I have trained immensely here in Sarasota and am more than prepared physically and ready to go,” he told reporters. “But the unknowns are, of course, Mother Nature, and that’s really the one thing that we can’t control. I do my best to train in it here in ‘real world’ weather … so I’m feeling very, very confident.”
Wallenda plans to walk more than two city blocks — uphill at a 15-degree angle — between the 534-foot-tall Marina City west tower and the 635-foot-tall Leo Burnett Building. He then will ride an elevator down to the street and return to the west tower, where he plans to be blindfolded as he crosses to the east tower on a tightrope.
Marina City residents have received a set of rules in advance of the stunt, including restrictions on parking and the number of visitors allowed. Residents are also barred from using drones or laser pointers, blaring music, grilling, yelling or taking pictures with flash cameras during Wallenda’s walk.
“We are all very excited to be a part of this historic event,” a letter from building managers states. “Marina City will be on the world stage and we want to make a favorable impression, ensure your safety and that of Nik Wallenda and his crew.”
The letter warns that any violations will “be dealt with severely.”
Spectators also will face restrictions, as the city plans to close bridges at State Street and Dearborn Street from 5 p.m. Sunday to midnight. Wacker Drive will be closed on the south side of the river between Clark Street and Wabash Avenue during that same time.
The river will be closed to watercraft from 6 to 8 p.m.
The city has designated two public viewing areas along the south side of the river. The spots will be on Wacker Drive from Clark Street to Dearborn Street, entering from Clark, and Wacker Drive from Wabash Street to State Street, entering from Wabash.
In preparation for the event, the city also will close Wacker Drive from Dearborn Street to State Street from 9 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday. The Dearborn Street and State Street bridges also will shut down during that time for the setup of stage and production areas.
