Two weekend events will impact traffic in the Keys

Monroe County – This weekend, there are two events taking place in the Florida Keys which will have an impact on traffic. People planning on traveling over the weekend should be aware and should plan accordingly.

On Saturday, the Seven Mile Bridge Run  will shut down traffic both north and south for two and a half hours at the Seven Mile Bridge. Travelers should plan to be across the bridge by 6:30 a.m. to avoid being stuck on one side or the other. Traffic flow will resume at 9 a.m., but usually takes at least an hour after that to get back to normal flow.

On Saturday, and continuing on Sunday, an annual bike event is expected to cause traffic delays in the upper Keys. Travelers should plan extra time if they are going to be driving through the Key Largo area on those days.

The event is expected to attract over 2,000 bicyclists to the upper Keys, and last year raised $750,000 for Multiple Sclerosis. Event organizers pay for officers to work the special duty detail.

The Maroone MS 150 Bike Tour raises money for Multiple Sclerosis, and usually causes the most problems with traffic on Saturday afternoon, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. People will begin seeing bicyclists on Card Sound Road and in the Upper Keys between the 105 and the 102 mm around 9 a.m. on that day.

The riders travel from Miami-Dade County on Card Sound Road, then on Highway U.S. One to John Pennekamp State Park. They leave the Keys the following Sunday morning, beginning at 7 a.m. and travelers can expect delays on that morning as well, until about 9:30 a.m. with heavy bike traffic on Card Sound Road until about 11 a.m.