Locals know that getting around Tampa has been hampered by extensive construction on I-275 between downtown and the Tampa International Airport/Howard Frankland Bridge interchange. With the big game in town, things will get even more complicated by added road closures and thousands of out-of-town guests. One piece of advice: If you lack the proper parking permits, don't even think about trying to get to Raymond James Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday. Law enforcement will have the area around Ray-Jay locked down tighter than Barack's Blackberry, with both Himes Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway closed to traffic.
Florida Department of Transportation offers free, real-time traffic updates either by calling 511 from your phone (it's a free call) or checking 511tampabay.com. Hit it on gameday for all the latest.
Road closures, stadium area:
Dale Mabry Highway N. between Columbus Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will be closed all day Sun., Feb. 1, starting at midnight.
Himes Avenue between Columbus Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will be closed all day Sun., Feb. 1, starting at midnight.
Tampa Bay Blvd. between Dale Mabry and Himes Avenue has been closed to all traffic since Jan. 9.
Road closures, Convention Center area:
Franklin Street will be closed to one lane southbound from St. Pete Times Forum Drive to Harbour Island starting at 10 p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 29.
St. Pete Times Forum Drive will be closed to one lane westbound from Channelside Drive to Florida Avenue starting at 10 p.m. on Thurs., Jan. 29.
Taxis
Per F-DOT, taxis, limos and buses may pick up an drop off at Lot 11 on Tampa Bay Blvd across from Hillsborough Community College during pre-week only. On Super Bowl Sunday, On Super Bowl Sunday, taxis will be permitted to drop off and pick up at Lot 11 on Tampa Bay Blvd across from Hillsborough Community College, but there will be NO bus, limousine, sedan or shuttle drop-off or pick-up areas at Raymond James Stadium. Plan accordingly.
