2012 Honda Grand Prix Construction Begins

Little more than a month remains before St. Petersburg welcomes fast cars, world-class drivers, and auto racing fans from around the globe to the 2012 Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, March 23-25.

This year's event kicks off a 16-race IndyCar season with stops in the U.S., Canada, and China. Last year's winner Dario Franchitti, along with second place finisher Will Power, will be back with their teams to defend their titles.

According to the city, construction begins today on the 1.8 mile, 14-turn course. That's when road closure and construction signs begin to pop up, signaling the start of spring and construction season for the three-day event.

Using 20 thousand feet of steel-reinforced concrete barriers and 44 thousand feet of chain-link fencing, crews will turn downtown streets into a 1.8-mile, 14-turn course, the news release said.

Bayshore Dr. S.E. at First Ave. S.E. will close at First Ave. S. to prepare for the construction.  Eastbound Dali Blvd./Fifth Ave. S. will be restricted to local traffic at First St. S. starting at 5 a.m. Friday. Albert Whitted Park will also close to motorized and pedestrian traffic and remain closed through Sunday, April 15.  

Phase one construction starts Feb. 17 with erection of the block and fence on Bayshore Dr. S.E., followed by phase two on February 22, when the groundwork is laid for Pit Lane and the grandstands in Albert Whitted Park.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, workers will begin the third phase of construction by laying the block and fence from the pits out to First St.

Workers installing the barrier system will move north along First St. on Thursday, March 8, enclosing Pioneer Park, Bayfront Towers and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Temporary openings in the barrier will accommodate limited traffic flow and serve as an entry point for events at Al Lang Stadium, The Mahaffey, the Dali Museum and for guests of the downtown Hilton.

On Saturday, March 17, remaining streets affected by the race will close by Wednesday, March 21. Following the race, most streets are expected to open by Tuesday, March 27 with Bayshore Dr. S.E. re-opening to traffic by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 6.