Traffic may be a problem

Organizers predict auto congestion in causeway construction zone

By Neal Falgoust

George Tuley/Caller-Times The final 100 yards of the JFK Causeway heading westbound is without a shoulder. Construction has forced the road down to two lanes.

Police, highway and race officials have one request for Beach to Bay marathon spectators: Stay off Padre Island.

Construction along the John F. Kennedy Causeway has the roadway cut down to two lanes - one in each direction. And the throngs of people who normally flock to the island to watch the start of the race would simply be too much for the roadway to handle, officials said.

"We’re asking spectators to please stay off the island for the first and second leg," said race director Doug McBee. "That would be a big help to us."

For racers in the first three legs who have no choice in the matter, organizers recommend taking one of the city’s shuttle buses. Buses will depart from the Flour Bluff H"E"B at South Padre Island Drive and Waldron Road beginning at 5 a.m., a half hour earlier than normal.

Another congestion area likely will be at the entrance to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. New security measures mean anyone entering the base will have to be searched.

The only entry point to get onto Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, for personnel not involved in an official race capacity, will be through the North/Ocean Drive gate.

Vehicles without base stickers will need to park outside the gate in designated areas. Base access policies will be enforced and no one will be allowed to park along NAS Drive. All pedestrians walking through the checkpoint will be inspected.

Police Capt. Robert MacDonald said traffic lanes on the causeway will remain open during the race and the runners will be detoured through the construction zone. A concrete barrier will separate runners and traffic.

Frances Garza, Texas Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said workers would clean up and smooth out the rough spots in the construction area before leaving Friday. She said this year’s racers would probably be better off because of the construction.

"They’ll be safer than any other year because the traffic can’t get to them," she said.



Contact Neal Falgoust at 886"4334 or falgoustn@caller.com