Lots Of Events In Downtown Tampa Mean Lots Of Traffic

TAMPA, FL – Get ready for a busy weekend of back-to-back events in Tampa –and the traffic congestion that’s expected to accompany them.

Joyce Rumfola, a transportation technician for the city’s Traffic Management Center, said residents attending events downtown should be prepared for heavy traffic and delays.

In addition to the Riverfront Rock! two-day celebration at the grand opening of the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on N. Boulevard, Tampa is hosting Airfest at MacDill Air Force Base Saturday and Sunday; the Carry The Load Rally at Ferg’s Live, 490 Channelside Drive on Saturday; Darci Lynne and Friends at the Straz Center, 1010 N. Macinnes Place, Saturday at 7 p.m.; James Taylor at Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, at 7:30 p.m.; comedian Mike Birbiglia at the Straz Center Sunday at 8 p.m. and, who can forget? The Tampa Bay Lightning vs. the Washington Capitals playoff game Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Amalie Arena.

“Allow extra travel time, travel through the areas with caution and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists,” cautioned Rumfola.

To help reduce traffic jams, Rumfola recommends that residents take advantage of the following services:

• There will be free bike valet services at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. It is a convenient and secure way to store your bike.
• There will be free shuttle services from downtown parking lots to Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park running every half hour.
• There will be free water taxi service from MacDill Park (just a short walk from Fort Brooke Garage) to Julian B. Lane park. Note: Regular Pirate Water Taxi service will also be available from other locations for a fee.
• The Downtowner will be available. The Downtowner is a free rideshare service operating within Tampa’s downtown. Visitors can download the app to their smartphones to request a ride. The Downtowner drop off/pickup point is located at the intersection of Doyle Carlton Drive & Laurel Street. Download the app at ridedowntowner.com.
• Coast Bike Share is a bike rental service with racks located throughout Tampa. Racks are located at the intersection of Doyle Carlton Drive and Laurel Street and on N. Boulevard just south of Laurel Street. For more information and for rates, visit coastbikeshare.com/tampa.
• There will be two convenient Rideshare Pick-up / Drop-off Locations, one on N. Boulevard just south of Laurel Street and one at Doyle Carlton Drive.

Laurel Street will be closed to vehicles between N. Boulevard and Doyle Carlton Drive between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, allowing visitors to easily bike and walk from the Tampa Riverwalk across Fortune Taylor Bridge without crossing traffic.

PARKING SATURDAY:

• Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N. Franklin St. Enter off of East Whiting Street

Open at 6 a.m. at $1.60 an hour

• Tampa Convention Center Garage, 333 S. Franklin St.

Open at 5 p.m. at $12 flat rate

• Whiting St. Garage, 401 E. Whiting St.

Open at 5 p.m. at $12 flat rate

• Twiggs St. Garage, 901 E. Twiggs St.

Open at 6 a.m. at $1.20 an hour

• William F Poe Garage, 800 N. Ashley Drive

Open at 11 a.m. at $10 flat rate, limited parking available

• Regional Royal Lot, 1200 N. Tampa St.

Open at 6 a.m. at $2 flat rate

• Centro Ybor Garage, 1500 E. 5th Ave.

Open at 6 a.m. at $1 an hour

• Fernando Noriega Jr Garage, 2010 N. 13th St.

Open at 6 a.m. at $1 an hour

PARKING SUNDAY:

• Fort Brooke Garage, 107 N. Franklin St. Enter off of E. Whiting Street

Open at 6 a.m. at $1.60 an hour

• Tampa Convention Center Garage, 333 S. Franklin St.

Open at 5 p.m. at $12 flat rate

• Whiting St. Garage, 401 E. Whiting St.

Open at 5 p.m. at $12 flat rate

• Twiggs St. Garage, 901 E. Twiggs St.

Open at 6 a.m. at $1.20 an hour

• William F Poe Garage, 800 N. Ashley Drive

Open at 11 a.m. at $10 flat rate, limited parking available

• Regional Royal Lot, 1200 N. Tampa St.

Open at 6 a.m. at $2 flat rate

• Centro Ybor Garage, 1500 E. 5th Ave.

Open at 6 a.m. at $1 an hour

• Fernando Noriega Jr Garage, 2010 N. 13th St.

Open at 6 a.m. at $1 an hour

For additional information, visit the city’s website

Maps via city of Tampa