You could argue that traffic in Tampa is naturally terrible even without a pirate parade, but this Saturday's Gasparilla events will make sure it's extra terrible.
The City of Tampa issued an advisory this afternoon listing upcoming road closures and warning drivers that traffic will be “very heavy” this weekend near Bayshore Boulevard and downtown. The city is also urging Tampa to use caution, and allow extra time to travel through areas near Saturday's Children’s Gasparilla Parade.
Starting at 2 a.m. and running through most of the day, most of Bayshore will be shut down, as will stretches of Bay to Bay and the Davis Island Bridge.
Here’s the City of Tampa’s full road closure list for Saturday, Jan. 18:
2:00 a.m.
Northbound lanes on Bayshore Boulevard from W. Bay to Bay Boulevard to S. Rome Avenue
6:30 a.m.
Bayshore Boulevard between W. Gandy Boulevard and W Platt Street.
W Bay to Bay Boulevard between S. Ysabella Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard
Davis Island Bridge off-ramp onto Bayshore Boulevard
9:00 a.m.
Curbside lanes on W. Bay to Bay Boulevard between S. MacDill Avenue and S. Ysabella Avenue
4:30 p.m.
Eastbound lanes on W. Bay to Bay Boulevard at S. MacDill Avenue.
See all road closures at www.tampagov.net/RoadClosures.
Of course, if you plan on attending any Gasparilla events this weekend it’s highly recommended you take a Lyft or an Uber, ride the Brew Bus, or maybe even use Tampa’s free and reliable TECO streetcar.
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