'Larger than life' traffic possible due to Backstreet Boys concert, sporting events in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — We'll tell you why traffic could be a nightmare in downtown Orlando this weekend: two major sporting events and a boy band concert.

Channel 9 traffic expert Racquel Asa said more than 100,000 people are expected to clog roads heading into downtown Orlando Friday and Saturday.

It started with an Orlando City Soccer game Friday at 8 p.m. at Exploria Stadium. But road closures on Central Boulevard and Church Street started well before the game, at 3:30 p.m.

Saturday packs a double whammy with a Backstreet Boys concert at the Amway Center at 8 p.m. and the college football season kickoff game between the University of Florida and University of Miami at Camping World Stadium at 7 p.m.

But road closures for those events will happen as early as 7 a.m. and stay closed until midnight.

The following roads closed on or before Friday, and will remain closed throughout the weekend:

• Hughey Avenue from Amelia Street to Livingston Street. Two easternmost lanes closed until Sept. 1.
• Hughey Avenue from Livingston Street to Washington Street. Easternmost lane will be closed until Sept. 1.
• Church Street from Tampa Avenue to Rio Grande Avenue.  Road closed until Sept. 1.
• Michigan Street from Westmoreland Drive to Division Avenue. Road closed from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday.

The following roads will close Saturday for the Gators vs. Hurricanes football game at Camping World Stadium:

• Church Street from Rio Grande Avenue to Orange Blossom Trail, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• South Street from Rio Grande Avenue to Norton Avenue, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Colyer Street from Rio Grande Avenue to Nashville Avenue, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.
• Rio Grande Avenue from Church Street to Anderson Street, 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.

The following roads will close on Saturday for the Backstreet Boys concert at the Amway Center:

• Church Street from Division Avenue to Garland Avenue, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Division Avenue from Central Boulevard to Anderson Street , 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Parking at Camping World Stadium is already sold out, so instead of driving down and hoping to find a spot, the city recommends trying to reserve one in a city garage online.

There are no events planned for the downtown area on Sunday, but there is expected to be traffic around the new Creative Village as everyone gets used to UCF's new downtown campus with classes starting Monday morning.

Cox Media Group