Roads Closures and Tighter Security

When the Super Bowl returns to Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, security will be a lot tighter than it was in 2001. Tampa Bay Blvd has already been closed. Dale Mabry Highway and Himes Ave, the two main north-south thoroughfares on either side of Ray-Jay, will close after midnight on February 1st. A chain link fence is being put up around the stadium and parking lots, from MLK Blvd to Columbus Ave. Dale Mabry and Himes between Columbus and MLK will be closed, but Columbus and MLK will stay open. No RVs or buses will be allowed inside the parking lots. No drop-offs will be allowed near the stadium, the closest drop-off is a parking lot across from Hillsborough Community College on the west side of Dale Mabry. Shuttle service will only be available for fans with disabilities. There will be pat-downs and searches of purses and bags at the gates and officers will use metal detectors and xray machines to screen fans. Nothing larger than 12-by-12 inches is allowed in the staduium. Also, fans are expected to behave. The NFL says excessive drinking ,boorish behavior, disorderly conduct, standing on chairs, running, fighting or profanity will not be tolerated. In the parking lot, the league has banned all open flames, meaning no grills. You'll have to cook your brats on an electric cooker.