LEWISTON — It’s simple advice, really. If you’re not running, racing or enjoying the many thrills of the Dempsey Challenge, there are areas you might want to avoid this weekend.

Police on both sides of the Androscoggin River are advising that traffic snarls and road closures should be expected both Saturday and Sunday mornings in downtown Lewiston and in New Auburn.

On Saturday morning, starting at around 7:30 a.m., police in Lewiston will close a long stretch of Lincoln Street, from Main to River Street, to accommodate participants of the 10K walk/run.

Additionally, a short section of Oxford and Cross streets will be closed along with a stretch of Cedar Street near the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge.

Lewiston Police Sgt. Robert P. Ullrich said extra officers will be on hand to help control traffic. People who live in the Little Canada neighborhood, or farther out on River Road, will be able to leave their homes during the event, but police advise that it will likely be slow going.

All others are advised to avoid the area if they’re not part of the Dempsey Challenge.

In Auburn on Saturday, police will close the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge for roughly two hours beginning at about 7 a.m. to make way for the walkers and runners.

A small section of Riverside Drive near the Rollerdrome will also be closed for the same period to accommodate the runners.

Auburn Police Lt. Tim Cougle said sections of Main Street will be narrowed for parts of the event, although vehicle traffic will still be able to pass. Cougle suggested that motorists find alternate routes around the area if they happen to be just passing through.

On Sunday, beginning at around 7:30 a.m., the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge will be closed intermittently to allow groups of cyclists to cross. Those closures are expected to last just minutes at a time. Police will be on hand to direct traffic.

Also on Sunday, police in Lewiston will again shut down a long section of Lincoln Street as well as parts of Cedar and Oxford to make way for Dempsey Challenge bicyclists.

Streets and roads are expected to be reopened both days by about 9:30 a.m.

After seven years of hosting the Dempsey Challenge, Cougle said most area residents have become accustomed to contending with the traffic issues.

“It’s pretty much routine by now,” he said. “We rarely have any major issues.”

Find more about the Dempsey Challenge, including a schedule of events, at dempseycenter.org/dempsey-challenge.

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