Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is defending the city’s decision to close off part of Michigan Avenue so that Oprah Winfrey can film an episode of her show.

What better way to celebrate The Oprah Winfrey Show’s 24th anniversary than to shut down four of the busiest blocks in Chicago for 53 straight hours?

At least, that’s how Mayor Daley sees it.

DALEY: This is a great thing we’re doing. I wish we could do this every day here in the city of Chicago - how many people will be employed, how much, basically, publicity we will receive throughout the world is unbelievable.

Starting at 12:01 Labor Day morning, the Magnificent Mile will be closed off to vehicles, from Ohio Street to Wacker Drive.

Oprah will start filming her anniversary episode 5 p.m. Tuesday—just in time for rush hour.

That’s good news for Oprah fans, but what about drivers?

DALEY: Well, I think they’ll understand how important this is.

Daley also points out that The Oprah Winfrey Show—not the city—will foot the bill for the security and the street closure.