Port Canaveral Releases Plan for May 27 Manned Launch Viewing

5/20/2020

Public parking on Port will be limited to Cove District and Jetty Park,
Visitors and guests are advised to plan accordingly

 
Port Canaveral, FL – May 20, 2020 – Port Canaveral today released its plan for public access to the Port for viewing the scheduled May 27 liftoff of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, the first crewed mission launched from the U.S. since 2011. The launch is currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th at 4:33 p.m. from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center north of the Port.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in alignment with federal and state guidance to minimize the potential for virus spread, access to popular launch viewing points at Port Canaveral will be limited, and traffic in and around the Port will be controlled.

“We recognize this launch will be a seminal moment in Brevard County’s long history of involvement with space flight and one that has generated tremendous public interest,” said Port CEO Capt. John Murray. “We collaborated with Space Florida, participated in the County’s planning process, and worked in partnership with state and local agencies to address some of the public’s demand while maintaining our continued focus on public health and safety.”
 
The Port’s plan was jointly developed by Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), Canaveral Fire Rescue and Canaveral Port Authority Public Safety in collaboration with the Brevard County Emergency Operations Center and Florida Department of Transportation to minimize traffic congestion, ensure public safety, and promote a safe environment for Port employees, contractors, tenants and the community.

Port Canaveral highly recommends potential launch watchers consider the limitations for public parking at Port Canaveral on launch day and to plan accordingly.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is planning to control traffic flow on SR 528 and SR A1A, particularly at exits for George King Boulevard on Port Canaveral.  SR 401 will be open but limited to commercial and official traffic heading to the Port’s northside operations and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. 

Electronic signs on the state’s highways and on Port Canaveral roadways and intersections will advise motorists of road restrictions, as well as when parking capacity has been reached at designated parking areas.  Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies will monitor traffic, control key traffic intersections, and enforce parking on and around the Port.

Motorists should enter the Port at George King Boulevard from State Roads A1A or 528. After liftoff, there will be no entrance to the Port and motorists should exit on George King Boulevard for SR A1A or SR 528.

Passholders heading to Jetty Park should enter the Port via George King Boulevard, then depart after launch via North Atlantic Avenue or George King Boulevard.

Brevard County Sheriff’s office deputies will be in place to assist drivers and patrolling the Port to enforce parking and ensure that visitors are adhering to federal and state health and safety guidelines regarding COVID-19. Port visitors should comply with social distancing requirements and avoid gathering in groups of more than 10.
 
Launch Parking Map Jetty ParkMap: Canaveral Port Authority
 
JETTY PARK
Parking is limited to Annual Passholders;
Lot will close when 50% vehicle capacity is reached.
No walk-ins or bicyclists will be allowed to enter the park.
Vehicles departing Jetty Park will be directed onto N. Atlantic Blvd Southbound
(or George King Blvd depending on traffic conditions).
 
BOAT RAMPS PARKING
Freddie Patrick Boat Ramps and Rodney S. Ketcham Park Boat Ramps vehicle and trailer parking will be open and available to boaters on a first-come, first-serve basis until capacity is reached. Boat Ramps parking lots are exclusively for boater vehicles and trailers using boat ramps. Boaters at all times – whether parking at ramp lots or not— may access the ramps to drop their boat and tackle and seek parking elsewhere.

Launch Parking Map CoveMap: Canaveral Port Authority

COVE PARKING FOR RESTAURANTS
Paved parking lot south of the Cove dining district will be open exclusively for Cove merchant patrons. Lot will close when maximum vehicle capacity is reached.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Paved parking spaces on Mullet Drive to the north of the Exploration Tower and adjacent to Cove dining district will be open. No shoulder parking will be allowed.

 
NO PARKING AREAS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED

Exploration Tower and parking lot closed.
 
All cruise terminal parking garages are closed.
 
No parking on George King Boulevard or any Port roadways.
 
No parking on unpaved lots or grassy surface areas.
 
NO parking allowed on State Road 401
NO parking allowed on State Road 528 median – entire length

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About Port Canaveral   

Led by the elected five-member Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners and Port Director and CEO, Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral is one of the world's most dynamic and exciting ports. A world-class gateway for cruises, cargo, recreation and logistics, as well as a gateway to new frontiers in space, Port Canaveral hosts nearly 5 million revenue cruise passengers through its state-of-the-art terminals and 6 million tons of cargo annually, including bulk, break-bulk, project, and containerized. The Port is strategically located to service all Florida markets, as well as the Southeastern United States. In addition to world class cruise facilities and diverse cargo operations, PortCanaveral offers more recreational opportunities than all other Florida deep-water seaports combined. For more information, visit www.PortCanaveral.com