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Downtown Drivers Cede Roads To Gasparilla Racers

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By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: February 28, 2009

TAMPA - Cars and runners don't mix, which is why Bayshore Boulevard and several other downtown streets will be barricaded this morning for the Gasparilla Distance Classic. Sunday won't be any better, with the Gasparilla Marathon winding through downtown.

The 5K and 15K runs will start at 7:30 a.m., but many downtown roads will close hours earlier to give organizers time to set up aid stations, orange cones, bleachers and the starting and finish lines. The races should wrap up around noon.
Davis Islands and Bayshore homeowners will experience the most traffic headaches. For the most part, Davis Islands residents should not have trouble getting onto the islands.

When leaving, however, motorists won't be permitted to turn right from Davis Boulevard onto Bayshore Boulevard, nor turn right from Plant Avenue to Platt Street, starting about 2:30 a.m. Police will block off the turns.

Individuals may be permitted through the barricades up to race time with police permission.

Susan Robinson, the city's special events coordinator, offered a tip to Davis Islands residents trying to get to the Publix on Platt:

Motorists can take Plant to Cardy Street, which is just before the entrance ramp to the Selmon Crosstown Expressway. Take a right. Cardy ends up behind the Publix.

Getting downtown will be trickier but not impossible. Platt Street/Channelside Drive will be blocked between Plant Avenue and Franklin Street about 2:30 a.m. That means the Platt Street Bridge will be closed.

Additionally, the Brorein Street Bridge will close about 6 a.m., which means motorists going to and from downtown will need to take Kennedy Boulevard.
City Traffic Engineer Debbie Herrington said the city is closing the streets hours ahead of the race to give organizers enough time to set up the electronic timing devices, bleachers, aid stations and the finish line structure.

By 6 a.m. today, Bayshore will be closed between Swann and Price Avenue (south of Gandy Boulevard).

Drivers will not be permitted to drive to and from their homes during the race, unless they're using a driveway that accesses a side street, Herrington said. The stretch of Bayshore between Swann and Platt will shut down at 2:30 a.m.

The whole routine will be repeated again Sunday, with additional closures set for downtown for the Gasparilla Marathon.

Here are more closures today:

•6 a.m., Franklin Street between Whiting Street and Brorein.

•7 a.m., Platt from South Boulevard to Plant Avenue.

•9 a.m., Hyde Park Place from Parker Street to Bayshore Boulevard.

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

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