Prepare for Heavy Traffic! Weekend Traffic Forecast

Prepare for Heavy Traffic! Weekend Traffic Forecast - A car driving down a street - Pretoria

There are multiple events taking place up and down the island chain this weekend that the Sheriff’s Office expects will impact traffic. All motorists from Key Largo to Key West can expect most of the heavy traffic to occur on Friday and Saturday. All motorists are asked to plan accordingly and take note the times and days of events.

 

• The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride 

The Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride is taking place this Friday, Jan. 11, and Saturday, Jan. 12, in the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys. This year, 47 wounded warriors will ride bicycles along most of Overseas Highway, accompanied by support personnel. Residents are encouraged to come out and show these warriors patriotic support. U.S. 1 will remain open for the Soldier Ride, but motorists should be patient, use caution and realize there may be rolling lane shifts in traffic. Motorists are asked to take special notice of the Seven Mile Bridge ride on Friday afternoon. Motorists are asked to use extreme caution if traversing the Seven Mile Bridge at that time.

 

• Full Throttle Key West Poker Run 2019

The motorcycle group is scheduled to begin entering the Florida Keys sometime before 10 a.m., Saturday. They will be returning to the mainland via U.S. 1 northbound on Sunday. It is unknown at this time how many motorcyclists are taking part in the ride. There are five stops planned: Gilbert’s Resort on the 18-Mile Stretch; Islamorada Fish Company, MM 81; Boondocks at MM 27; DeLuna’s Bar & Grill on Stock Island; and Sandbar Sports Grill in Old Town Key West.

 

• The 15th Annual Big Pine & Lower Keys Nautical Expo 

The festivalruns from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It is held on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at MM 31 on Big Pine Key. There may be an increase in pedestrians crossing U.S. 1 throughout both days.

 

• The Florida Keys Celtic Festival 

The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is held at the Marathon Community Park, MM 49, Oceanside, in Marathon. There may be an increase in pedestrians crossing U.S. 1 throughout both days.  

— Contributed