Changes to Snake Creek Drawbridge openings due to Nautical Flea Market
Flea Market to draw large crowds of boaters

Posted Thursday, February 19, 2009

 
 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page

Islamorada - In an effort to alleviate traffic difficulties caused by the Nautical Flea Market in Islamorada this Saturday, there will be a
temporary change to the schedule for draw bridge openings on Snake Creek in Islamorada.

The Flea Market is scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday at Islamorada's Founder's Park. The peak times for traffic, however, occur
on Saturday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:0 0 p.m. In the past, the event has caused severe traffic disruptions and delays for miles in
each direction. In an effort to reduce these traffic problems, Captain Don Fanelli has requested the Snake Creek Drawbridge change its
schedule. On Saturday, February 21st, the bridge will only be opening once every hour at the top of the hour starting at 9 a.m. It will resume
it's normal schedule at 5 p.m. The normal schedule has the bridge opening every half hour on the hour and half hour marks.

"We apologize for any problems this might cause for the boating public," said Captain Fanelli. "But this has been a real problem in the past.
People get impatient, they try to pass illegally and there are lots of other safety issues. This is truly necessary to make sure travelers
remain as safe as possible when driving through the area."

The Rotary Club, who sponsors the Flea Market, has also hired off duty deputies to work traffic control, to help with parking and to keep
traffic moving as quickly as possible.