EUSTIS, Fla.—Motorists will experience a new traffic shift during the City of Eustis Georgfest Parade scheduled for Feb. 22.
Beginning at 9 a.m. Feb. 22, State Road 19 (Bay Street) southbound will be shut down between County 44 and Herrick Avenue and travelers will be diverted onto either westbound or eastbound County Road 44, at the intersection that includes 7-Eleven, Burger King, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy, Eustis Police Chief Craig Capri told Inside Lake. Northbound traffic on State Road 19 (Grove Street) will not be affected. Drivers should expect delays and plan an alternate route, Capri said.
This is a major shift from year’s past when the city shut down Bay Street for the parade and both northbound and southbound traffic traversed on Grove Street for the duration of the parade.
“For the safety and security of all those attending the event, we implemented a new traffic pattern; I know some people may be unhappy, but this is necessary,” Capri said. “It’s a minor inconvenience for a few hours, but public safety is paramount.”
Capri said the road construction downtown also played a role in the decision.
Businesses on State Road 19 between County Road 44 and North County Road 452 will be open, and EPD will allow vehicles to access those businesses. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Bay Street and Norton Avenue and travels northbound on Bay Street until its conclusion at Bates Avenue; it’s expected to end around noon, and once parade participants have cleared the area, Bay Street will reopen, Capri said.
