MIAMI (WSVN) - The stage is set for Ultra Music Festival in Miami this weekend, and getting around downtown may be a challenge.
Officials have announced traffic detours ahead of the busy event, which begins Friday.
All Biscayne Boulevard northbound traffic will be rerouted to the southbound lanes at Southeast First Street, and southbound traffic on Biscayne Boulevard will be rerouted eastbound and westbound at Northeast Sixth Street. There will be no southbound traffic on Biscayne Boulevard south of Northeast Sixth Street.
Ultra comes to Miami every year, bringing light shows, electronic dance music and thousands of revellers.
“It’s amazing ’cause everyone coming from different countries to gather up and just have a good time,” said one man. “It’s always good vibes at Ultra.”
“It’s so compact and in the center of the city, everyone’s loving it. It’s so tight,” said Alan Milford, who plans to attend the music festival.
“I love how chilled out it is here. I love the vibe,” said Milford’s brother.
Police will be in the area all weekend, monitoring traffic.
“Coming out here, pack yourselves with patience,” said Miami Police Officer Kenia Fallat, “and remember that there are going to be a lot of officers inside and outside the event.”
In past years, organizers have had trouble keeping people who don’t have tickets from getting over the fence.
This year, the fence starts with a concrete block and is covered with plywood, making it more difficult to get up and over it.
Some downtown Miami residents aren’t so excited for the music festival.
“We don’t like it at all because it affects the traffic,” said area resident Vincent Bepau.
Bepau said he wishes Ultra would find a new home. “It would be better to move this event to some other places,” he said.
When asked if he has earplugs for the weekend, Bepau replied, “Yes, I do.”
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