Many Streets Will Be Closed For Gasparilla Races

Cars and runners don't mix, which is why Bayshore Boulevard and several other downtown streets will be barricaded Saturday morning for the Gasparilla Distance Classic. Sunday won't be any better, with the Gasparilla Marathon also 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 conclude at about noon.

Davis Islands and Bayshore homeowners will experience the most traffic headaches. For the most part, 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 at 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 at 2:30 a.m. That means the Platt Street Bridge will be closed.

Additionally, the Brorein Street Bridge will close at 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.

For homeowners on Bayshore, it might be wise to park on a safe side street tonight. By 6 a.m. Saturday, Bayshore will be closed between Swann and Price Avenue (just below 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 Saturday closures:

• 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 Drive.