Kirk Road closure planned on Thanksgiving night because of Aurora outlet mall traffic

Aurora police are changing their game plan for Thanksgiving night traffic control near the Chicago Premium Outlets mall: They are going to close southbound Kirk Road from Butterfield to Bilter roads.

Shoppers driving to the mall from the north will be directed to turn west on Butterfield, then to Church Road. They will park in lots there and be taken to the mall via shuttle buses.

Southbound drivers just looking to get on the Reagan Memorial Tollway should use the interchanges at Eola Road or Route 59 instead, police suggest.

The closure could start as early as 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, according to Sgt. Robb Wallers, depending on when mall traffic starts to build up. The mall opens at 6 p.m. The closure will be in effect until at least 2 a.m. Nov. 23.

Where shoppers from the east, using the tollway, should exit depends on whether they have an IPASS toll-paying device. If you do, police want you to get off at Eola Road, turn left on to Bilter, and enter the north side of the mall at the Sealmaster Drive traffic light.

If you don't have an IPASS, exit at Farnsworth Avenue North and stay in the right lane. Throw your $1.10 in the basket and proceed to the mall entrance at Premium Outlets Boulevard.

Drivers coming from the west on I-88 should use the Farnsworth Avenue North exit. Once on Farnsworth, join other traffic maneuvering into the right lane.

Officers will direct traffic at the intersections near the mall and the mall will be billed for those services, Waller said.