Traffic alert: What to know about issues in downtown Miami as fans cheer Heat at arena
The Heat is back in town. And so are traffic delays around the bayfront arena.
Miami and Denver tip off at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Kaseya Center for Game 3 of the NBA Finals. That means arriving fans and departing commuters might cross paths in downtown Miami, with a high chance of storms slowing things up even more.
The Florida Panthers are back home to play the Vegas Golden Knights Thursday night in Sunrise in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Fans heading to and from the hockey arena could affect traffic on Interstate 595, Sunrise Boulevard, Oakland Park Boulevard and the nearby Sawgrass Mills mall.
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Here’s what to know about the traffic flow at both venues:
Miami Heat
Next home games: 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, and 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 9.
Arena location: Kaseya Center, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.
Nearby: Bayside Marketplace, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park, downtown Miami business district, Brickell area.
Traffic choke points: Biscayne Boulevard from 11th to Flagler streets, Northeast Second Avenue from 13th to Flagler streets, ramps to and from I-95. Note that the Brickell corridor and Biscayne Boulevard at Northeast 11th Street could flood with heavy rain. Expect some traffic back-ups at the beginning and end of the game as parking lots empty and drivers hit the road in what is a construction zone on highways running through downtown. Miami Heat games generally run 2 1/2 to 3 hours so there will be a lull after the 8:30 p.m. tip-off until the end of the game after 11 p.m.
Tip: Traffic worsens when other events are scheduled the same night as Heat games. If you’re heading to the game or just trying to get through the gridlock on the way home or to another area venue, take note of the calendar of events at the nearby Arsht Center and FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park.
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Florida Panthers
Next home games: 8 p.m. Thursday, June 8, and 8 pm. Saturday, June 10
Arena location: FLA Live Arena, 1 Panther Pkway., Sunrise.
Nearby: Sawgrass Mills mall, IKEA.
Traffic choke points: Oakland Park Boulevard, Sunrise Boyulevard, Hiatus Road, Sawgrass Expressway ramps.
Tip: If you’re heading to the Sawgrass Mills mall or area restaurants and not planning to watch the Panthers play, take note of game dates and times to avoid the traffic crush.
