Selmon Expressway Could Close During Republican Convention

The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, a vital link between South Tampa and Brandon, could be shut down when the Republican National Convention comes to downtown Tampa in August, ABC Action News reports.

At least portions of the elevated roadway, which serves between 45,000 and 55,000 motorists a day, might need to close for security reasons around the convention, which is expected to draw around 50,000 people to Tampa from Aug. 27-30.

"I haven't heard anything official," expressway spokesperson Sue Chrzan told the news station. "But logically, that's what makes sense."

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn told TBO.com that "based on the size of the likely security perimeter, in all likelihood it would have to be shut down,” citing the shutdown of Interstate 25 in Denver during the 2008 Democratic National Convention as precedent.

Tampa Police Department spokesperson Laura McElroy told ABC the Secret Service will release a list and schedule of road closures between a month and six weeks before the convention.

"But at this point," McElroy told the station, "it's all being evaluated. They're trying to balance security with convenience and all of that is under way as we speak." 

Watch ABC Action News' full video report here.

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