Miami Beach is bracing itself for a flood of visitors over the Memorial Day weekend, but with that, comes a tide of traffic restrictions and parking fees that could dampen the mood of those heading to the sun and fun. According to NBC Miami, the city has laid out "high-impact measures" to be in effect from the early hours of Friday through the late evening of Monday.
For those eager to experience the Hyundai Air and Sea Show with its military marvels or soak up the sun on the sandy beaches, they will hit a wall of traffic changes. Delays into Miami Beach are set to test patience with eastbound lanes on both the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways being squeezed down to one lane starting each evening at 8 p.m. over the weekend, as reported by Miami Herald. Only two arteries, 13th Street and 5th Street, will serve as lifelines into and out of Ocean Drive, with all other routes firmly blocked off.
In addition to the road closures, Miami Beach is imposing hefty parking rates to ensure order within the bustling Entertainment District. It’ll cost non-residents a flat rate of $30 to stash their vehicles in city garages, while residents have a slight reprieve with a $15 charge. After 9 p.m., parking becomes exclusive to residents, Miami Beach business employees with proof of employment, and access cardholders, as NBC Miami details.
The city isn't only about stick; there's a semblance of carrot with recommendations for alternatives such as Citi Bike and the trolley. However, residents within the protected zones of Flamingo Park and South of Fifth will face their own gauntlet, with barricades in place each evening to restrict traffic through Sunday, making Alton Road their only path of respite, according to Miami Herald.
On top of the street-level management, an eye in the sky and on the ground comes in the form of License Plate Readers (LPRs). The Miami Beach Police Department will deploy these tools both fixed and mobile, to monitor vehicular flow throughout the city. As night falls, those planning to cruise along Washington Avenue and Fifth Street should keep their identification handy, with security personnel manning checkpoints to restrict any unwarranted cut-through traffic in residential areas.
It's a shared sentiment that while the event-packed weekend promises to be a showstopper, the associated traffic restrictions could turn the pleasure drive into a stop-and-go headache. Visitors and residents alike are urged to plan ahead to navigate the congested streets and enjoy the holiday weekend to the fullest.
