TAMPA, Fla. – Drivers heading into downtown Tampa this weekend should pack extra patience or leave the car at home. City officials are warning of significant traffic delays and road closures on January 17 and 18 as a convergence of major events is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the city center.
The influx of crowds, combined with scheduled lane closures, will likely choke normal traffic flow throughout the weekend.
Motorists should be particularly aware of restrictions on Ashley Drive and Gasparilla Plaza. While the Poe Garage will remain accessible, navigating the surrounding streets may be difficult during peak hours.
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Key Road Closures
- Ashley Drive: Expect lane closures on Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon and again from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday, lanes will close from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Gasparilla Plaza: The road will be fully closed on Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What’s Drawing the Crowds?
A packed slate of cultural and civic events is driving the surge in activity.
Saturday kicks off early with the FMEA Professional Learning Conference & All-State Concerts at the Convention Center at 8 a.m., followed by the March for Life Youth Rally at Perry Harvey Park at 9 a.m.
By the afternoon, the Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Festival will take over Curtis Hixon Park starting at 2 p.m., overlapping with multiple matinee and evening performances at the Straz Center and a show at the Tampa Theatre.
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The activity continues Sunday with the Water Street Market in the morning and day two of the Heritage Festival and Straz Center performances.
How to Avoid the Headache
Officials are strongly encouraging attendees to bypass the gridlock by using alternative transportation. Recommended options include the free TECO Line Streetcar, the DASH service, and HART buses. Rentable scooters, bikes, and rideshare services are also viable ways to navigate the downtown corridor without adding to the congestion.
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