We all had a great time Tuesday morning welcoming Matt and Al from the Today Show at the University of Tampa. I can’t believe how many supporters came out so early!!!!
Here are several pictures from the morning… enjoy!
Jennifer Hill, Bill Ratliff, Matt Lauer, Gayle Guyardo, and Alicia Roberts
Matt Lauer, Gayle Guyardo, and Alicia Roberts
Matt Lauer, Gayle Guyardo, and Alicia Roberts
According to FDOT officials, Eastbound SR 60, Southbound Memorial Highway, and Southbound Veterans Expressway traffic is scheduled to be switched to a new alignment early Monday morning (by 5:30 a.m.), September 15th. Traffic will be in this new alignment from just south of the Courtney Campbell Parkway to Cypress Street.
As a result of this traffic switch, motorists will have to exit to the LEFT going to Tampa International Airport (TIA) or eastbound Spruce Street. This exit configuration will be temporary; the TIA exit will return to a right side exit within about one month while Spruce Street will switch to a right exit within several months.
Drivers are reminded to be especially alert and pay attention to signs and other vehicles as motorists adjust to the new conditions next week.
Deputies are still investigating a serious accident in northwest Hillsborough County at this hour.
The accident happened around 2:40 this morning when a vehicle ran off the road near the intersection of Van ##### and Whirley Roads and crashed. One person was flown out by helicopter to a local hospital. The dispatchers are not releasing the condition of the victim.
The collision also took down power lines at the intersection. TECO crews remain on scene working to restore electricity.
In the meantime, Van ##### Road is closed between Whirley Road and Calusa Trace Boulevard. Officials anticipate the closure to remain in place through the 7 am hour. Commuters should plan to use alternate roadways.
*** As of 8 am, Tampa Electric is currently on scene blocking the westbound lane of Van ##### Road. The Sheriff Department is also on scene alternating eastbound and westbound traffic through using the available eastbound lane.
The intersection of 38th Avenue North and 16th Street North in St. Petersburg remains blocked due to an accident.
According to officials, a vehicle collided with a Bud beer truck shortly before 5:00 am Thursday morning. Three people were injured.
St. Petersburg Police on scene hope to reopen the intersection by 7:30 this morning. In the meantime, traffic is being locally detoured.
Even though gasoline prices have fallen significantly from July’s peak retail levels, the summer travel season could close with its third consecutive decline in holiday travel this year if the projected number of people traveling for Labor Day Weekend is accurate.
Nationwide, 34.4 million Americans are projected to travel a distance of at least 50 miles from home and that number represents a 1.1 percent decline in the total number of travelers from Labor Day, 2007. Travel figures for Memorial Weekend and Independence Day were also down compared to last year.
In the Southeast, the number of people traveling over the holiday weekend will likely be down by 0.6 percent compared to last year, based on a national phone survey of more than 2,000 adults contacted for AAA by the Travel Industry Association of America. Also in the Southeast, the number of people who stated they will drive is down by 0.8 percent, while the number of people who said they will travel by plane is down by 3.7 percent compared to last year.
The greatest number of Labor Day weekend travelers will originate in the West with 9 million; followed by the Southeast, 8 million; Midwest, 6.3 million; Northeast, 6 million; and Great Lakes, 5.1 million.
Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority will be finishing its paving work next week with closures of three Selmon Expressway ramps.
On Wednesday, September 3, beginning at 7 pm, the Morgan Street exit eastbound and the Kennedy exit westbound exit will be closed until 5 am, September 4
On Thursday, September 4, the 22nd Street eastbound entrance and exit will be closed from 7 pm until 5 am September 5 as well as on September 5 from 7 pm to 5 am September 6.
All ramps will be open between 5 am and 7 pm during these days.
Please be advised that unforeseen circumstances such as weather may affect the schedule.
Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH
The center lane of northbound 50th Street (U.S. 41) is closed from Columbus Drive to south of Interstate 4 because of a large sinkhole.
In addition, the right lane remains closed as crews have their equipment on site to inspect and repair the depression. Just the left northbound lane is open to traffic.
The closures are expected to remain through Thursday afternoon, when repairs are scheduled to be completed. The cause of the sinkhole has not been confirmed.
Southbound lanes are not affected.
Officials have suspended service for the Lakeland Area Mass Transit Services. No service will be available on Tuesday for the Citrus Connection, Winter Haven Area Transit, and Polk County Transit Services.
Service will resume on Wednesday, August 20th.
Amtrak Service has been suspended in the state of Florida for Tuesday in response to heavy rains and winds from Fay. This includes service on trains 52, 53, 91, 92, 97, 98.
Officials plan to watch the path of Fay to determine if service will be halted for Wednesday as well.
AAA wants drivers to be prepared for driving in wet weather.
First, if you don’t have to drive during a storm, stay off of the roads. It is the best way to keep your family safe. Flooded and debris covered roadways can put you in serious danger. Visibility, traction, steering and braking may all be impaired.
If you do have to head out during bad weather, be extremely careful. On wet roads, motorists must allow more space between vehicles. More space is required to brake safely.
Here are several reminders for dealing with unfavorable roadway conditions:
Low Visibility
When visibility is poor, the odds of having a collision in wet weather significantly increase. Hard rain can limit visibility and make it difficult to see the road, traffic signs, and other vehicles. Motorists should:
- Keep windshield and windows clean
- Make sure windshield wipers are new or clean
- Use defroster to keep front and rear windshields clean
- If windows gets foggy, slightly open a window and turn the defroster fan to a high speed
- If a vehicle is not equipped with daytime running lights, use low-beam headlights
- If visibility is so reduced that it’s impossible to see the road, other vehicles or traffic signs, pull off safely to the side of the road and wait.
- If you do pull off to the side of the road, be sure to turn your headlights off and your emergency flashes on.
Reduced-traction Driving
Poor traction is especially dangerous during the first 10 minutes of a heavy downpour. Oil and debris from the roads will rise up and later wash away. When motorists are aware of how to maneuver a vehicle in poor traction areas, it will reduce the chance of hydroplaning, skidding or getting caught in mud.
- If wheels are stuck in the mud or soft shoulder, apply power slowly
- To reduce chances of hydroplaning, slow down, avoid braking hard or making sharp turns
- If rear wheels skid, ease foot off the brake; if front wheels skid, ease off the gas.
Avoiding Collisions
- Motorists should always drive defensively to avoid a collision. If an obstacle is encountered, it is better to steer around it, than to brake at speeds above 25 mph.
- Avoid using cruise control in wet weather, because at specific speeds, it increases the chance of losing control of your vehicle.
- Try to remain off roadways unless absolutely necessary or until the weather improves. Remain aware of road conditions, stay tuned to weather forecasts and be prepared for challenging situations in the event that you must drive.
In order to help facilitate evacuations as Tropical Storm Fay approaches, the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority will suspend all tolls beginning at 6 a.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Tolls will be suspended until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, (This may change to a later time pending development of weather conditions.)
In addition, the Selmon Expressway Reversible Express Lanes (REL) will remain open in the eastbound direction until 6 a.m., Thursday, August 21, 2008. Again, tolls will be suspended on the REL until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Due to impending storm conditions, all Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) public transit bus, paratransit van, trolley and streetcar services will be suspended on Tuesday, August 19th.
HART customers are encouraged to monitor local media announcements for the status of public transportation services after the storm. HART employees should also monitor local media and keep in touch with your supervisor for current updates.
Under the direction of the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) HART’s Emergency Evacuation Bus Routes A, E, F, and G only will operate until 3 p.m. on Tuesday. The routes serve designated American Red Cross shelters in Hillsborough County.
As the Bay area braces for Fay, it’s important to be prepared to keep your family safe. And don’t forget about your car… if you have to evacuate, this is not the time you want to deal with auto troubles. Make sure your battery, windshield washers, filters, brakes, fluids, and other critical components are in proper-working order. In addition, experts recommend keeping an emergency kit in your trunk just in case. This kit should include the following:
- Copies of prescription medications and medical supplies
- Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
- Bottled water, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a flashlight
- Copies of important documents: driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
And for more emergency ready reminders, log onto Ready America’s website at http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html.
If you have questions related to evacuation routes for your area, the Red Cross has provided detailed, county-by-county information at http://redcross.tallytown.com/map/evacuation.html.
For additional shelter and evacuation resources, visit the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council’s website at http://www.tampabaydisaster.org/maps.shtml.
HART can also be an important evacuation mode to keep your family safe. For detailed routes and bus times, visit http://www.hartline.org/departments/marketing/rider_alerts/hurricane/index.htm.
Finally, the best advice is to prepare early. If you live in an evacuation zone, leave yourself plenty of time. Driving through the storm is dangerous. Localized flooding can spell disaster as even a few inches of water can sweep away a full-sized vehicle. Keep your family safe by calling ahead to where you plan to wait out the storm so someone knows when to expect you. And don’t forget your cell phone charger to keep in contact with others during and after the storm.
Safe travels.
Alicia
Funny story from my home state.... had to share.
A 25-year-old Pennsylvania man ventured onto a closed road Sunday afternoon in search of good fishing at Bald Eagle State Park. Soon after, his pickup truck became stuck on railroad tracks.
He unsuccessfully tried to dislodge his truck for 45 minutes when the faint sound of a train whistle forced him off the tracks. Moments later, a train plowed into the empty vehicle.
Fortunately, the man nor any of the train passangers were injured. However, the truck’s owner is suffering from a bruised ego and now faces a trespassing citation.
The man told officials he knew the road was closed, as the signs clearly indicated, but decided to “give it a shot” after hearing about the fishing spot. He later described himself as a “local idiot just trying to go fishing.”
This is one fishing tale I suppose he will not be bragging to all of his friends about in the days ahead.
And the moral of the story… follow the signs in life. Literally and figurately speaking!
Many are excited to see the death-defying attempt by Criss Angel to escape from the Spyglass Hotel before it is imploded tonight in Clearwater. But while the event is sure to drawn lots of anticipation and awe, it will also mean heavy traffic and road closures in the region. Here’s what you need to know to get around.
South Gulfview Boulevard will remain closed from just south of the Pier 60 parking lot to Fifth Street until 7 a.m. Thursday morning. Coronado Drive with also be shut down to traffic between Devon Drive and Third Street from 7 p.m. Wednesday until 1 a.m. Thursday. Finally, the area from the roundabout to Fifth Street will close from approximately 10:30 - 11:30 p.m. Wednesday for the implosion.
If you want to see Criss Angel’s escape, you can watch from the viewing areas north and south of the resort. Traffic from the north should use Memorial Causeway to get there; traffic from the south should use the Bellair Beach Causeway and take Gulf Boulevard north to Clearwater Beach.
Good luck to Criss Angel… I am sure there will be alot of sweaty palms before it is all said and done!
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