Chief: Expect Gridlock to Continue

Traffic backs up for miles outbound from Key Biscayne on the second night of the Ultra Music Festival, March 31, 2019 (Key News/Tony Winton)

Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles Press says residents should expect the finale of the Ultra Music Festival to produce the same gridlocked traffic that led to miles-long backups on the Rickenbacker Causeway Saturday.

“I don’t see things getting better,” Press said. The chief said the worsened traffic outbound from Key Biscayne was caused by a “ton of rideshares” that weren’t part of the first day’s concert. They appeared in response to the sometimes-chaotic bus transportation system.

What’s more, Press said, is that some Ultra buses were dumping passengers south of the Bear Cut Bridge because some concertgoers became unruly. Hundreds of pedestrians went into the streets, he said.

“I don’t see it changing. We would need another army of cops”to prevent what he described as chaos.  Press said some drivers — some of whom were not affiliated with a ride hailing service — had signs outside their cars advertising cash fares to transport Ultra attendees.  Press noted this kind of sudden development was not part of the official traffic plan approved by the Miami-Dade County for Ultra.

Uber spokesman Javier Correoso said the company has made it clear to drivers that they must obey directions from law enforcement. He said that authorities decided to adapt the original plan by changing drop off locations. And he said that any driver who takes cash fares would be violating Uber’s terms of service. “That could lead to loss of access to the Uber app” for drivers, he said.

On one positive note, Press said that Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park had reported about  half its normal attendance, which he hoped would ease road congestion.

KEY BISCAYNE

Inside the village limits, Press said things were very different. A high visibility strategy was working well, and he reported no Ultra-related incidents.  “I am the happiest chief in the world, as far conditions inside the village are concerned.” Press said Miami-Dade County Police bolstered  Village police with nine additional officers.