MIAMI, FL — Miami’s streets are buzzing with excitement and gridlock as the Ultra Music Festival gets underway at Bayfront Park this weekend. As thousands of festivalgoers flood the city, commuters and residents are already feeling the impact of road closures and detours, which started today and will remain in effect until Monday.
With electronic dance music fans arriving from all over the world, downtown Miami is transforming into a festival hub, but that also means increased congestion, delays, and rerouted traffic. Local authorities are urging both visitors and residents to plan to navigate the city efficiently.
Road Closures and Detours to Expect
City officials have announced multiple road closures to accommodate festival traffic and pedestrian safety. Key streets impacted include:
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Biscayne Boulevard (U.S. 1) at Northeast 4th Street is partially closed with restricted local access.
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Northeast 2nd and 3rd Streets between Biscayne Boulevard and Northeast 2nd Avenue, fully closed to traffic.
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Northbound lanes of Biscayne Boulevard will have periodic lane reductions as needed.
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Additional closures near Bayfront Park and the Kaseya Center will be enforced throughout the weekend.
Officials have confirmed that closures will last until early Monday morning, giving crews time to dismantle festival stages and clean up the area.
How to Get Around Miami This Weekend
With tens of thousands of festival attendees expected, Miami’s transportation officials recommend avoiding downtown altogether if you’re not attending Ultra. Those who must pass through should consider these alternative routes:
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Use I-95 Express Lanes, I-395 (MacArthur Causeway), or the Venetian Causeway to bypass downtown congestion.
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Public transit is highly encouraged, with Metrorail and Metromover running extended hours to accommodate festival traffic.
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Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft will have designated drop-off and pickup locations near the festival. However, expect surge pricing and long wait times, especially late at night.
Crowd Control and Safety Measures
Local law enforcement is out in full force this weekend to manage crowd control, direct traffic, and ensure safety around Bayfront Park. With thousands of people walking through downtown, pedestrian traffic will be extremely high, especially near the Bayside Marketplace and surrounding hotels.
Businesses in the area are preparing for a surge in customers, while city officials work to keep things running smoothly. Miami police are warning drivers to be extra cautious and watch out for distracted pedestrians crossing streets outside of designated crosswalks.
Final Advice for Locals and Visitors
If you’re attending Ultra, plan, check real-time traffic updates, and be patient with the expected transportation delays. If you’re a Miami resident, consider staying away from downtown unless necessary.
Miami is no stranger to hosting large-scale events, but with Ultra’s global popularity, this weekend’s road congestion will be one of the worst of the year. Whether you’re here for the music or just trying to get around, expect a weekend full of traffic, crowds, and nonstop energy.
