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Tucson Road Construction
Greetings all.
I know many of you will shortly be heading this way, and I also know many of you are Tucson show veterans. However, you'll find things very different around town in 2008 and I thought it would be helpful to post a few tips and announcements.
We're all familiar with the traffic problems and the shortage of parking during the gem show, especially along the Frontage Road strip (Day's Inn, Howard Johnson, etc.). Well, the bad news is it's going to be a lot worse this year.
I-10, the interstate which blasts right through Tucson is undergoing major construction and ALL downtown exits, in both directions are closed, all the way from 29th Street in the south, to Prince Road in the north. That means on ramps AND off ramps. You cannot get on, or off, the highway, anywhere in downtown or central Tucson.
Frontage Road and Freeway (the service roads on either side of the highway) have been temporarily widened and will take the brunt of the traffic. For those of you flying in, you will either need to drive all the way through town from the airport, or take I-10 part way, and then exit at 29th Street and make your way up Frontage Road to your destination. If you're staying in the north (Orange Grove, Ina, etc.) those exits are open as normal. So, it's going to take longer than usual to get where you want to go.
This Arizona Department of Transportation site has a very helpful map and other info:
http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html
Here is a useful FAQ for first time visitors:
http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/gemshow/faq/
Parking is going to be particularly difficult this year, so you may wish to consider using the free Gem Ride shuttle. You can download a PDF route map from here:
http://www.visittucson.org/visitor/events/gemshow/shuttle/
It's also been a little chillier than usual so far this year. Your regular shorts and sandals might not be enough. Consider checking the local weather before you leave:
http://www.weatherunderground.com/US/AZ/Tucson/KTUS.html
Regards,
Geoff N. www.aerolite.org
p.s. If anyone needs last-minute show accommodation, let me know. I have a couple of leads.
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