Road closures, detours, parking and public transit information for Gasparilla 2012

TAMPA - Here is everything you need to know about road closures, parking and public transportation for Gasparilla, 2012.

Parade route: The parade begins at 2 p.m. at Bay to Bay Blvd. and Bayshore Blvd. It continues along Bayshore to Brorein St., turns east on Brorein, then north on Ashley Dr. The parade ends at Cass St. and Ashley Dr.

Road closures:  Closures begin at 10 p.m. Friday, and include Bayshore Blvd. from Gandy Blvd. to Platt St./Channelside Dr.; Bay to Bay from Bayshore Blvd. to Ysabella St.; and the Davis Island Bridge off-ramp onto northbound Bayshore Dr.  Additional closures will occur throughout the morning and early afternoon on Saturday. A complete list of the road closures and schedule is here: http://www.tampagov.net/dept_special_events_coordination/files/Gasparilla%202012/Day_Parade_Rd_Closure_Timeline_2012.pdf

SR-60/Kennedy Blvd. westbound detour: Traffic will be detoured from Kennedy to northbound Florida Ave., under I-275 to Kay St., to Laurel St., then Green St., followed by North Blvd. and back to Kennedy.

SR-60/Kennedy Blvd. eastbound detour:  Traffic will be detoured from Kennedy to northbound North Blvd. to Laurel St., then Tampa St., followed by Jackson to Florida and back to Kennedy.

Tampa General Hospital traffic : access TGH using Hyde Park Ave., accessible from the Selmon Expressway.

Hours on the Selmon Expressway Reversible Express Lanes:The REL will be turned westbound beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. At 3 p.m., the REL will be reversed and will run eastbound. The REL will remain open in the eastbound direction until 6 a.m. Monday.

Where NOT to park: Parking enforcement in the neighborhoods bordering the festivities and parade route will begin Thursday evening. From 8 a.m. to Noon on Friday, warnings will be issued to illegally parked car owners. Parking tickets will be issued from Noon to 10 p.m. Friday. After 10 p.m., and until the end of Gasparilla, cars will be TOWED.

Parking: Downtown public parking facilities will open at various times Saturday with the earliest opening at 5 a.m. Rates vary.

A list of City of Tampa parking lots, opening times and fees is here: http://www.tampagov.net/dept_special_events_coordination/files/Gasparilla%202012/PARADE_PARKING_BULLETIN_2012.pdf

Public transportation:

TECO Line Streetcar:  The streetcar will offer continuous service from 9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. for those parking in Ybor City. Take the streetcar from Cenennial Park Station in Ybor to Downtown Tampa (Dock Greco Plaza).  The streetcar costs $5 for an all-day pass, which may be purchased with cash at ticket vending machines (change provided) at each streetcar station.

In-town trolley:The trolley provides a connection from the north end of downtown Tampa (Marion Transit Center) to the south end of downtown (Dick Greco Plaza). The trolley will provide continuous service from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. The cost is $0.25. Streetcar/bus all-day passes accepted.

HART bus service:HART Route 8 will operate continuous service during peak times in the morning and afternoon from Ybor City (Streetcar Society Station) to downtown Tampa (Dick Greco Plaza). Route 8 will make additional stops at Port Authority and Cumberland Streetcar Stations to pick up customers when streetcars are operating at capacity.  The cost is $3.75 for an all-day pass, which may be purchased in advance at HART retail outlets or on board buses on Gasparilla Day with cash only (no change provided). Monthly bus passes may also be used.

The following bus routes can be used to access downtown Tampa: From North Tampa – Routes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18; From Temple Terrace – Route 6; From Brandon – Route 8; From West Tampa – Route 7; From South Tampa – Route 19; From Citrus Park – Route 7; From Town ‘N Country/Westchase – Route 30.

A map of the Gasparilla Streetcar and Bus service is here: http:// library.constantcontact.com /download/get/file/1100778660802-1190/ Gasparilla_Detour_Map_2012.pdf   View Map for Gasparilla 2012 -- Streetcar and Bus service .