President Barack Obama's visit to Tampa will have an impact on downtown Tampa traffic Wednesday.

The president landed at MacDill Air Force Base on Tuesday night for a briefing Wednesday at U.S. Central Command.

Several streets were blocked off around the downtown Hilton, where he stayed overnight. A crowd of people gathered to watch the motorcade go by Tuesday just after 8 p.m. The president was whisked inside the hotel, and security remained tight at the hotel and in the surrounding streets.

Officials are advising motorists and downtown workers to be aware that all roads south of Kennedy Boulevard will be affected.

In addition to the streets, downtown businesses and parking garages south of Kennedy will see an impact.

Officials say downtown workers should arrive to work early and be prepared to stay later. Officials also said the Bank of America garage will be open, but will be subject of security sweeps.

Bay News 9 Real Time traffic reporter Chuck Henson said the Twiggs and Poe garages are good alternatives, as is the Royal parking lot on Tampa Street.

  • Poe Garage, located at 802 N Ashley Dr.: $1.20 an hour
  • Twiggs St Garage, located at 901 E Twiggs St.:, $1.20 an hour
  • Royal Regional Lot, located at 1240 N Tampa St.: $2.00 flat fee for the day

Closures and detours will be posted on message boards throughout downtown.