Hey Rays fans… check these updated traffic and parking information sent to me from St. Petersburg Transportation & Parking if you are heading to an upcoming Rays game.  And of course, never to miss an opportunity, GO RAYS!!!!

1.) Get there early:  Allow extra time for travel and parking, so you don’t miss
the first pitch. Parking is available onsite, on surface lots within a
half-mile walk of the field and along the downtown waterfront.  When onsite
parking lots fill, police and variable message boards will direct fans to
overflow parking and the downtown waterfront where they may walk or take the
free baseball shuttle. Some on-site spaces are held open for pre-purchased
parking.

2.) Downtown parkers are encouraged to avoid the traffic congestion around
Tropicana Field and take advantage of downtown restaurants before catching a
ride on the free baseball shuttle.  Pickup is at the corner of Central Ave.
and 2nd Street S. (under the Bank of America Tower’s pedestrian bridge), with
drop off at 16th Street S. just south of 3rd Avenue S.  Riders may park in the
South Core garage accessible on 1st Avenue S, between 1st and 2nd Streets S
for $5. Disability accommodations, including vehicles with wheelchair lifts,
will be utilized every game.  Additional information including a route map can
be found at http://www.loopertrolley.com/Events.

3.) Service for the baseball shuttle begins 90 minutes before the start of each
game (see box) and ends one hour after the game is over each night.  Shuttles
run approximately every 15 minutes.

4.) Onsite Parking: Vehicles with four or more fans will continue to receive free
parking in the main parking lots.  Vehicles with fewer than four passengers
will be charged $15 in most lots, while remote lots under the interstate (lots
11-13) cost $10.  Premium parking is available in Lot 1 for $30 during select
games, based upon availability.  For more information about on-site parking,
please visit http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/parking_directions.jsp

5.) Parking Around Tropicana Field: Thirty-five new parking areas have opened
since the beginning of the season to accommodate larger numbers of baseball
fans in attendance this year.  These areas are marked by brand-new signs with
a capital P, along with the lot number and city ordinance information; these
areas are the only approved parking areas for event attendees parking outside
of Tropicana Field, but within the half mile radius.  The new signs, along
with additional baseball parking information may be viewed at
http://www.stpete.org/baseballparking

6. ) Beware of where you park:  Parking enforcement will be issuing citations to
drivers who park illegally.  Parking should occur only in approved lots,
either on-site Tropicana Field lots, in one of the 60-plus approved parking
areas around the stadium or in one of the downtown waterfront facilities;
these are the only approved event parking areas for games. Do not attempt to
park for free in unattended or vacant lots as your vehicle may be towed.  Also
be careful when parking in unlicensed lots or vacant parcels surrounding
Tropicana Field. Do not park in a lot if you are not sure that it is
legitimate (marked with a blue “P” and posted lot number). Parking attendants
will be in uniform and will provide a receipt/ticket upon payment. If the lot
or the attendant/cashier does not look legitimate or cannot provide a receipt,
please find an alternate parking location.

7.) Use alternate travel routes:  To avoid interstate congestion, use these
suggested routes:  Fourth St. from the north or 16th St. and Fifth Ave. S.
from the south.  Southbound interstate traffic may exit early at 54th, 38th,
or 22nd Avenues N. and travel east to 4th St. then approach the ballpark from
the east. Northbound traffic can exit early on 31st St. to 5th Ave. S. and
approach from the west side of the ballpark to avoid traffic tie-ups.