Traffic is expected to be heavier than normal on Saturday, January 25 in south and downtown Tampa due to the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates along Bayshore Boulevard and Pirate Fest in downtown Tampa.  

RealTime Traffic's Chuck Henson says drivers and pedestrians alike are advised to allow for extra travel time and to travel through the area with caution.

After the parade, traffic and parking on the south end of downtown will be impacted by fans arriving at the Tampa Bay Times Forum between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for Tampa Bay Lighting hockey game.

Additionally, due to construction on I-275, the I-275 south on ramp at Tampa St. will be closed from 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. An alternate route to the interstate is to travel north on Florida Ave. to Columbus Dr.  Turn left on Columbus Dr. to Armenia Ave.  Turn Left on Armenia Ave to I-275 south on ramp.

The Tampa Police Department would like to remind all celebrating pirates to report suspicious activity. If you see something, say something. No tip is too small.

Road closures begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, January 24:

  • Bayshore Blvd from Gandy Blvd. to Platt St/Channelside Dr.
  • Bay to Bay from Bayshore Blvd. to Ysabella St.
  • Davis Island Bridge off ramp onto northbound Bayshore Blvd.

On Saturday, January 25, road closures are as follows:

3:00 a.m.

  • Bayshore Blvd. from Brorein St. to Platt St.
  • Platt St/Channelside D.r from Plant Ave. to Franklin St.

5:30 a.m.

  • Crosstown- eastbound Willow Ave. off ramp (Exit 4)
  • Willow Ave. from Swann Ave. to Platt Ave. (southbound lanes closed only; Willow Ave will be one-way northbound)

7:00 a.m.

  • Ashley Dr. from Brorein St. to Jackson St.
  • Brorein St. from Jefferson Ave. to Parker St.
  • Franklin St. from Channelside Dr. to Harbour Island Bridge
  • Old Water St. from Florida Ave. to Franklin St.
  • Washington St. from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.
  • Whiting St. from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.

9:00 a.m.

  • Kennedy from Hyde Park Ave. to Ashley Dr. (eastbound)
  • Ashley Dr. from Tampa St. Split to Jackson St.
  • Jackson St from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.
  • Kennedy Blvd. from Florida Ave. to Plant Ave. (westbound)
  • Madison St. from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.
  • Madison St. from Florida Ave. to Tampa St. (westbound)
  • Twiggs St. from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.
  • Twiggs St. from Florida Ave. to Tampa St. (westbound)
  • Zack St. from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.
  • Zack St. from Florida Ave. to Tampa St. (westbound)
  • Polk St. from Ashley Dr. to Tampa St.
  • Polk St. from Florida Ave. to Tampa St. (westbound)
  • Tyler St. from Florida Ave. to Tampa St. (westbound)
  • Whiting St from Florida Ave to Franklin St (westbound)

City of Tampa Parking Information for Saturday, January 25:

For access to the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates in south Tampa, consider using the following garages and lots:

  • Ft Brooke Garage - $10 flat rate and will open at 6 a.m.
  • Whiting Street Garage - $10 flat rate and will open at 9 a.m.
  • Jackson Street Parking Lot  - hourly rate of $1.60/hr, with a $9.50 daily maximum and will open at 7 a.m.
  • Poe Garage – hourly rate of $1.20/hr, with a $7.00 daily maximum and will open at 6 a.m.
  • Royal Regional Lot – $10 flat rate and will open at 7 a.m.
  • Tampa Convention Center Garage - $10 flat rate and will open at 5 a.m.
  • Twiggs Street Garage - hourly rates of $1.20/hr, with a $7 daily maximum and will open at 6 a.m.
  • South Regional Garage - $10 flat rate and will be open from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. for parade parking. After 10 a.m. parking will be restricted to Forum Reserve Passes. 

All numbered spaces on Kennedy Blvd. and south of Kennedy Blvd. are enforced up until midnight at the standard hourly rate.

For access to the Tampa Bay Times Forum, consider using the following garages and lots:

  • The Selmon Express Way Lots - $12 flat rate for hockey
  • South Regional Garage - $10 flat rate and will be open from 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. for parade parking. After 10 a.m. parking will be restricted to Forum Reserve Passes.

For access to downtown and south Tampa from historic Ybor City, consider using the following garages and utilizing HART services.

  • Centro Ybor and Palm Avenue Garages - $10 flat rate and will open at 9 a.m. HART park and ride available from both locations.

HART will be offering extra streetcar, bus, and trolley services. For more information about HART service during this special event, please call (813) 254-4278 or visit www.goHART.org.