This year, the scariest thing about Halloween just might be the traffic it causes downtown.

In anticipation of the large costumed crowds expected to descend on Sixth Street, the Austin Police Department has released its Halloween traffic plan, which includes shutting down roads beginning Thursday, October 31, at 6 pm.

Sixth Street will be closed to all vehicular traffic, including scooters, which must obey motor vehicle laws while on a public roadway. The closure will run from the IH-35 Frontage Road west to Brazos Street.

The following cross streets will also be closed between Fifth and Seventh streets:

• Brazos
• San Jacinto
• Trinity
• Neches
• Red River
• Sabine

Vehicles that remain on Sixth Street and the above cross streets after 6 pm will be towed. If your vehicle is towed, locate it here using the VIN or license plate number.

APD is also reminding residents and visitors that open containers, glass containers, and illegal weapons are all prohibited on Sixth Street. Those found with illegal weapons are subject to arrest.

Additionally, the I-35 southbound 8th-3rd streets/Huston-Tillotson University exit and the northbound 6th-12th streets exit may also be closed, so plan accordingly if heading to any downtown or east side festivities. APD says it may close additional streets depending on the crowd.

According to APD, the streets should be reopen by 3 am on November 1, so morning commuters shouldn't be affected.

Those who are partaking in the partying should be aware that APD is also conducting a Halloween No-Refusal Initiative from 10 pm to 5 am. No-refusal allows police officers to easily obtain blood search warrants for those suspected of driving under the influence.