CONTACT: Joe Kubicki, Director of Transportation and Parking, 727-892-5274

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CITY ANNOUNCES GRAND PRIX ROAD CLOSURES
AND TRANSPORTATION PLANS

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (March 13, 2008) – As preparation for the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg moves forward, motorists will experience road closures and limited access surrounding the race track through April 14. Following are the anticipated closures and limited access sections of roadway.

Roads currently closed for race track construction through Monday, April 14 are Bayshore Dr. from First Ave. S. to Fifth Ave. S.

Road closures going into effect Monday, March 17 through Monday, April 7 are Second Ave. S. from Second St. S. to First St. S. available for “LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY.”

Road closures going into effect Saturday, March 29 through race weekend (April 4, 5 and 6) include First Ave. S. from Beach Dr. to Bayshore Dr. and limited access on Second Ave. S. from First to Second St. S.

Road closures going into effect Sunday, March 30 through race weekend include Beach Drive from Central Ave. to First Ave. S. and First Ave. S. from First St. to Bayshore Dr.

Road closures going into effect Wednesday, April 2 through race weekend (April 4, 5 and 6) will include First St. from First Ave. S. to Sixth Ave. S.; limited access southbound on First St. from Central Ave. to First Ave. S.

Race weekend only (April 4, 5 and 6): There will be limited access on First St. S. from Fifth Ave. S. to Eight Ave. S. and Sixth Ave. S. from Second St. to First St.

Festival of States Night Parade (April 3): The Festival of States Night Parade will be held on Thursday evening, April 3, beginning at 7 p.m. The route begins on Central Ave. at Fifth St. and proceeds toward the waterfront on Central Ave. to Second St.; turning north on Second St. to First Ave. N.; turning east on First Ave. N. to Beach Drive; turning north on Beach Drive to its terminus on Fifth Ave. N. in front of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort. The parade will disperse north of Fifth Ave. N. fro Beach Drive onto Seventh Ave. N.E. and onto North Shore Drive. Traffic enforcement officers will allow motorist crossings of the parade route intermittently on Central Ave. at Fourth St. and Third St. Traffic can access the Pier from Second Ave. N.E.

Get Down Town (April 4): Central Ave. from Second to Third Street will be closed on Friday, April 4 from noon until approximately midnight for a “Fast Friday” Get Down Town block party. The Saturday Morning Market, which traditionally closes Central Ave., will not be held on Saturday, April 5.

To review a downtown parking and transportation map, additional Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg information or a list of other events in St. Petersburg throughout the weekend, visit www.stpete.org/grandprix.