Daytona Beach, FL - After another busy Memorial Day weekend caused a traffic snarl in Daytona Beach, police decide to reintroduce an old procedure to assist residents and workers in crossing the Halifax River during special events.
Starting Thursday (June 3), the Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) will issue "Pink P" passes to those who need access to the beachside during special events, such as the upcoming Daytona Truck Meet.
According to police, the "Pink P" gives 24/7 access to the Main Street drawbridge to any resident or worker who has the pass displayed on the dashboard of their vehicle during special events, even if the other bridges in the city are closed.
During special events, officers will be placed on the west side of the Main Street bridge to check all vehicles attempting to head eastbound over the bridge. Any vehicles that do not bear a "Pink P" pass will be turned away and directed towards the other high-rise bridges in Daytona, those being the bridges at International Speedway Boulevard, Oakridge/Seabreeze Boulevard, and Orange/Silver Beach Avenue.
Emergency vehicles will still be allowed to use the Main Street bridge.
“We hope this will ease the concerns of those who live and work on the beachside,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young. “We understand that last weekend’s temporary eastbound closures caused a huge inconvenience for beachside residents, employees and vendors. This plan will ensure that those people are able to get to their homes or places of employment in the future.”
This past Saturday (May 29), Chief Young ordered the DBPD to shut down all eastbound access to the beachside after a sudden influx in traffic began to create safety concerns.
Passes are available for pickup anytime at the police department's headquarters on Valor Boulevard off Mason Avenue or from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Beachside Precinct, located on Harvey Avenue. Those who wish to obtain a “Pink P” must also provide proper ID that shows they live or work on the beachside.
DBPD plans to put this plan into action during next weekend's 2021 Daytona Truck Meet, which is slated to run between June 11 and 13.
For more information on passes, police ask residents to call their front desk at 386-671-5100.
NOTE: If police restrict access on the Main Street Bridge, that DOES NOT mean that the other bridges are closed. Residents will still be able to use the bridges at ISB, Seabreeze/Oakridge Blvd, and Orange Ave.
