MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – With some 200,000 guests daily during Memorial Day weekend, the Miami Beach Police Department reported counting on the help of 18 law enforcement agencies.
Officer Christopher Bess, a spokesman for the department, said police officers were set to enforce traffic pattern changes from Friday morning to Monday night in South Beach.
“There will be officers at every intersection to help,” Bess said, as city employees distributed the “Road Closed” signs.
Sally Withers was among the tourists using the rental bicycles to tour the city. She was on Ocean Drive with seven of her family members from Louisiana.
“I know there is an air show in town, so we were looking forward to that,” Withers said. “We are just excited to be here.”
Changes affecting drivers include single-lane entrances at the MacArthur and Julia Tuttle causeways starting at 8 p.m., from Friday to Monday. There were only two access points to Ocean Drive at 13 and Fifth streets. Similarly, access to Collins and Washington avenues was at 16 and Fifth streets.
PARKING
There will be a flat parking rate of $30 for visitors and $15 for residents, and on-street parking won’t be allowed along Collins Avenue.
The parking garages’ free shuttles will be available from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday at the public parking sites on Fifth, 17, 23, and 42 streets.
City officials recommend the Miami Beach trolley, Miami-Dade County transit services, and the use of these apps: Transit App, PayByPhone, Miami Beach - ParkMe, and ParkMobile.
THE BIG SHOW
The city was co-hosting the Hyundai Air and Sea Show from 12 to 6:30 p.m., along Ocean Drive, in the area near 11 to 14 streets, along Lummus Park, at 1130 Ocean Dr.
“We will be bringing in the Army band, symphony, disc jockeys, and the Golden Knights are going to do a nighttime pyro jump. Come down to the beach and enjoy your military,” said Mickey Markoff, the show’s producer.
The fireworks display is from 7 to 10 p.m., on Saturday. The show is free.
LOCALS
The residential neighborhoods South of Fifth and Flamingo will be closed to visitors. Locals are encouraged to access the entrances on Alton Road.
Flagler Monument Island was closed to boaters and Bess had a warning: “Any trespassers are subject to arrest. "
For more information about the air and sea show, visit this page.
For more information about the city’s events, visit this page.
For more information about the parking options, visit this page.