Sports

2013 Honda Grand Prix Construction Underway

Construction is underway on the 1.8 mile, 14 turn waterfront race track in downtown St. Pete.

Fast cars, world-class drivers and thousands of auto racing fans from around the world will descend upon downtown St. Pete for the annual 2013 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 22 - 24.

For the third year in a row, the event will kick off the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Although the event is more than a month away, construction crews have already begun setting up the street race track.

Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The street track for the three-day event takes about 35 days to build and requires 250 construction workers, according to GPStPete.com.

According to GPStPete.com more than 20,000 feet of steel-reinforced concrete blocks, 44,000 feet of chain-link fencing and 12,000 tires will be used to construct the race track.

Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Several downtown streets are closed and will remain closed through race weekend.

According to the city, Bayshore Drive S.E. from First Ave. S to Fifth Ave. S has been closed to traffic for racetrack construction until Friday, April 6. Albert Whitted Park is closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic through April 8. And the Saturday Morning Market will not be held Grand Prix weekend, March 24, but returns in its regular location at Al Lang parking lot Saturday, March 31.

For more information, including ticket reservations and prices, visit GPStPete.com.

The City of St. Petersburg has put together everything you need to know about parking and transportation for the event on their website.


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