Downtown Miami Road Closures, Detours For Ultra
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Ultra Music Festival is in full swing and along with it have come road closures, detours and more traffic for drivers in downtown Miami--and the festival isn't the only South Florida event bound to cause traffic.
The three day Ultra Music Festival in Bayfront Park is officially underway Friday.
Some of the world's most renowned electronic music DJs will be drawing tens of thousands of people from all over the world to the electronic dance music festival.
"You have all these artists who gear up for this months and months in advance because they set the tone for the rest of the festival season right here in Miami," said Andrea Feczko, an Ultra Music Festival Host.
The event, now in its 17th year, was almost cancelled after a security guard was critically hurt after being trampled when people without tickets rushed the gates.
Because of that, new security measures are in effect this year.
That means traffic closures and detours, all of which started the morning of the event.
At 9 a.m., most of Biscayne Bay Boulevard will be blocked and traffic will be rerouted West at northeast 4th street to northeast 2nd Avenue.
All northbound traffic along Biscayne Blvd. will be reduced to two lanes and shifted to southbound lanes at southeast 1st street.
The closures and detours will last until Monday at 6 a.m.
Meantime, the Florida Department Of Transportation is warning drivers that they should expect additional traffic in and around Bayfront Park with as many as 300,000 people expected to attend the event.
The department said drivers should be prepared for increased congestion on parts of I-95, US 1, and the Dolphin Expressway leading up to the event. Parts of Florida's Turnpike, Palmetto Expressway and Don Shula Expressway also may have increased traffic.
For those who decide to take to public transportation, the Metrorail and Metromover will be running until 1 a.m.
Transit employees will be available at the Government Center Metrorail station to provide help.
Metrorail and most Metrobus routes (except for express routes and circulators) charge $2.25 per trip. The Metromover is free.
Fortunately, or unfortunately--depending on what South Floridians are doing this weekend--there are several other happenings in the area--many of which will only add to the traffic chaos.
Friday night is the monthly Critical Mass bike ride that leaves from Government Center at 7:15 PM.
Wicked, playing at the Adrienne Arsht Center, has showings all weekend long, including Friday.
Adding to the Downtown Miami congestion, Ariana Grande's concert is set for the AAA Saturday night at 7:30 PM.
On the way to Downtown, from the south, congestion may occur around the Key Biscayne area due to the Miami Open.
On Sunday, the Miami Heat will play the Pistons at the AAA. The game starts at 6 PM.