Patience a must for drivers in Downtown Tampa this week

Thanks to the Republican National Convention navigating the roads of Downtown Tampa will be quite a chore this week.

Congestion will increase due to several road closures and limited available parking near the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Don Skelton, the Florida Department of Transportation's District 7 secretary, was in Tampa on Saturday to talk about the RNC and Tampa traffic.

He gave several tips.

"Not only plan your trips but if you don't have to take a trip [it is] probably good not to be out there," Skelton explained. "With the added congestion out there it will be tough."

Downtown road closures went into affect Saturday and will remain that way until the RNC packs up and leaves town later this week.

To ease headaches officials encourage drivers to stay-up to date with real-time information by signing up for the Tampa's Red Alert system. 

You can access it through your computer and or cell phone and it's the best way to keep up with the changes.

"Here in Tampa we've been through storms, Superbowls and a lot of other things," Skelton added. "As Mayor [Bob Buckhorn] said probably bigger than that but we've got our forces and we're ready to go."

Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor has had her officers and support staff preparing for the RNC for months.

"We've asked everyone before please show a great amount of patience," Castor said Saturday.

As for Tropical Storm Isaac, event organizers say the weather system has not yet required them to change their plans. That said, they will continue to monitor Isaac and will adapt of the fly if necessary.

"It [TS Isaac] is a fluid situation it will literally change by the hour," Buckhorn said. "A lot will be changed by the wind gusts."